Ethan’s Baby gets class relief in sprint
Ethan’s Baby will appreciate the class relief and cutback in distance when she runs in an unrestricted allowance race that headlines the Labor Day card at Emerald Downs. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies drew six horses and goes as race 10 on an 11-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific.
Trained by Howard Belvoir, Ethan’s Baby has been a very good sprinter at Emerald Downs. She won her first two starts as a juvenile by a combined 11 3/4 lengths. Her second win came in the $49,000 Angie C, where she broke on top, and with little urging by jockey David Lopez, she cruised to an easy win over Pippa Bou Peep in the six-furlong dash. That was her last start as a 2-year-old and the last time she has had her picture taken.
After going unplaced in her first start as a 3-year-old on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita, she was very game when she was the runner-up in the $50,000 Seattle Handicap going 6 1/2 furlongs on May 31. She also finished second to Belle Hill in the 1 1/16-mile Kent Day before going unplaced in the Washington Oaks, also won by Belle Hill.
Ethan’s Baby had a sharp five-furlong move Aug. 27 and could be gone if she breaks on top from post No. 5 with Javier Matias riding.
There is other speed in the field, particularly Haleys Rainbow and Seeking the Light. If a duel develops, Perhaps a Pie has a good shot of picking up the pieces.
Key Contenders
Ethan’s Baby (Last 3 Beyers: 71-69-61)
◗ She is a nose away from being undefeated while sprinting at Emerald Downs and will be happy to get away from Belle Hill, who has dominated the local 3-year-old fillies.
Perhaps a Pie (Last 3 Beyers: 72-68-64)
◗ Trained by Chris Stenslie, she made a strong middle move before hanging in the Washington Oaks, and considering that both of her wins came sprinting, she will appreciate the cutback in distance.
Sneaking a Kiss (Last 3 Beyers: 66-62-40)
◗ Also trained by Stenslie, she is trending in the right direction and could be dangerous if they get carried away up front.
◗ In her last start, she came from a stalking position to finish second by a head going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $40,000 optional-claiming race Aug. 9.