Del Rio Harbor, Noosito rivalry heats up in Emerald Downs Derby

AUBURN, Wash. – While Del Rio Harbor and Noosito have met six times, handicappers still have no definitive read on who is the better horse. Heading into Sunday’s $65,000 Emerald Downs Derby, a daunting test at 1 1/8 miles, their head-to-head record is even at three wins each. The two likely will dominate the betting, and one of them should win. But which one?

Del Rio Harbor and Noosito, both trained by Doris Harwood, have been taking turns in the Emerald winner’s circle since last August – Del Rio Harbor in the WTBOA Lads Stakes, Noosito in the Dennis Dodge Stakes, Del Rio Harbor in the Gottstein Futurity, Noosito in the Auburn Handicap, Del Rio Harbor in the Coca-Cola Handicap, and, most recently, Noosito in the Seattle Slew Handicap on July 13.

The horses share the same sire, Harbor the Gold, and a similar running style. They have lots of natural speed. Del Rio Harbor went gate to wire in the 1 1/16-mile Gottstein Futurity in September. Noosito led all the way in the 1 1/16-mile Seattle Slew just last month. Weight won’t be the determining factor – all seven entrants will carry 122 pounds.

It could come down to the jockeys, but even there, it’s hard to separate them. Leslie Mawing, who will handle Noosito, has reemerged as the dominant rider at Emerald Downs. Del Rio Harbor is paired with Gallyn Mitchell, a veteran “money” rider with 77 Emerald stakes victories. Mawing outfoxed Mitchell in the Seattle Slew Handicap, sending Noosito straight to the front. How Mitchell responds in the rematch easily could determine the outcome.

Key contenders

Del Rio Harbor (Last 3 Beyers: 84-85-70)

* Del Rio Harbor has victories at five distances, ranging from five furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, and has finished worse than second just twice in 10 starts – a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race in his career debut and the Auburn Handicap on May 25, when a troubled trip prompted a rider change.

* Del Rio Harbor has improved markedly from a Beyer perspective in his past two starts, both at route distances. He recorded a career-best 85 Beyer in the Coca-Cola Handicap, running one mile in 1:34.73.

Noosito (Last 3 Beyers: 87-80-86)

* Noosito is a full brother to Noosa Beach, a 12-time stakes winner and two-time Washington Horse of the Year. Noosa Beach handled nine furlongs with aplomb, taking the 2010 Mt. Rainier Handicap by more than four lengths.

* In his front-running Seattle Slew victory, Noosito ran the first quarter in 23.19 seconds and powered through the ensuing four furlongs in a quick 46.58 to keep Del Rio Harbor at bay.

Mebossman (Last 3 Beyers: 81-75-74)

* The most likely winner if there’s a Derby upset, Mebossman is coming off his best effort to date, a romping victory over statebreds in a first-level allowance sprint. The Emerald Derby is one race veteran trainer Frank Lucarelli has yet to win.

* Mebossman can handle the demands of 1 1/8 miles. A half-brother, Jebrica, won this race in 2011 and later captured the 11-furlong BC Premier’s at Hastings. Another sibling, Couldabenthewhisky, captured the Seattle Slew Handicap in 2009.

Zoomzoomania (Last 3 Beyers: 72-64-68)

* The potential Derby pacesetter, Zoomzoomania is in rapid ascent, following a victory in a $20,000 maiden claimer in June with a dominating score two starts later in a one-mile, first-level allowance July 27. By Offlee Wild, from a Coronado’s Quest mare, he’s bred to run all day.