Smokemonthecliff rates another chance on the drop in Friday’s 6 1/2-furlong feature for $8,000 claimers at Emerald Downs. A Blaine Wright trainee, Smokemonthecliff attended the early pace while battling with three others along the backstretch in her most recent start July 21. In that race the 4-year-old backed up to finish last when racing for a $15,000 tag. The daughter of Smokem was claimed for $15,000 by her current connections on June 30 and drops sharply in claiming price to meet eight others Friday. It seems possible that Smokemonthecliff was too near to the pace while not employing the stalking style that has served her well this year. Smokemonthecliff will have the services of Alex Cruz, who piloted the filly to victory on June 14 against nonwinners of two at the $15,000 claiming level. Friday’s contest is restricted to fillies or mares who have never won three races. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Of considerable interest is On Purpose, a Dan Markle trainee who was dueling for the lead down the backstretch with Smokemonthecliff and two others on July 21. On Purpose ended up finishing fifth as the 2-1 favorite in her first start since Feb. 19. The mare routinely faced better stock in California and may rate another chance after the long layoff. Sophomore Lady Cruiser has now won two straight and gets to return at the same condition level at which she won her latest start Aug. 4. The daughter of Catalina Cruiser was claimed from her last race by Alexis Silva-Martinez and has won both starts at Emerald Downs. One to look for late will be the Candice Cryderman-trained Infinite Love, who finished second, a half-length behind Lady Cruiser, on Aug. 4. In that race, those racing 5-6-7 after two furlongs finished 3-1-2 in the end, as the pace was kind to closers. Cryderman stated that her mare “definitely needs a fast pace to run at and if she can sit on the rail and wait for a hole, that’s the best case for her.” A trio of others entered in Friday’s feature exit the same race that produced Lady Cruiser and Infinite Love. A pair that battled early and then faded are Big Jolt and Libby’s Gambit, each of whom merit some consideration given the race shape of their common last race. Big Jolt is from the barn of Miguel Hernandez, and Libby’s Gambit is trained by Scott Tubbs. From the same affair is Aliceshouseofheart, a Charles Essex trainee who wasn’t far from the early lead after they ran two furlongs. Rounding out the field are Bucchera and Vhagar. Dropping in class, Bucchera raced at Monmouth Park two starts ago and failed to impact when caught behind a moderate early pace in her Emerald debut July 19. Vhagar was a winner last out against $5,000 claimer nonwinners of two and will be up in class Friday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.