Elevado will take advantage of his eligibility and drop into a $10,000 starter allowance going 6 1/2 furlongs on Friday at Emerald Downs. Elevado, claimed in March at Santa Anita for $10,000, has been competitive locally at the $25,000 claiming level. Friday’s race affords Elevado, trained by Hilario Perez, the chance to face softer company without fear of being claimed while presumably having an edge. So far this meet, the 5-year-old son of Street Boss has finished fourth, beaten three lengths, on May 12 in a race that featured a trio of subsequent winners. Elevado returned six weeks later, chased a torrid pace, and finished third, beaten a half-length. There isn’t a lot of early speed in Friday’s headliner, but Elevado will get an extra furlong after having raced 5 1/2 furlongs in each of his three starts since being claimed. Chief among his opponents are a pair from the barn of Justin Evans – Winter Falcon and D K’s Crown. Winter Falcon was claimed by Evans for $10,000 from his last start on June 21. The gelding worked three furlongs on Sunday in 35 seconds flat, a move Evans described as “very sharp.” :: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets. D K’s Crown raced June 23, finishing fifth, beaten 6 1/4 lengths, in a $10,000 starter allowance. Evans called the race “a complete throw out,” reasoning it was a “terrible trip” before describing his charge as “a very versatile sprinter.” It should be noted that D K’s Crown is the only runner in Friday’s field who has won after leading at every call during a race, and he has done so on multiple occasions. Other contenders include Moonlightnwine, a Vince Gibson trainee who has won two straight and 3 of 4 since August 2023. He’s another who can be effective from off the pace. Cajun Treasure was claimed for $8,000 on June 30 by Miguel Hernandez. The 9-year-old has lucked into a spot that doesn’t have a great deal of other speed. Completing the field are Ko Samui, trained by Luciano Gabriel, and Club Mesquite, trained by Jack McCartney. Ko Samui probably would prefer more distance, although he missed by just a neck over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 7 in what was his first sprint on dirt. Club Mesquite drew the outside and sports a little bit of tactical speed that may serve him well as things unfold Friday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.