Exit Sixty Slew to show the way in claimer

Exit Sixty Slew is better going short than long, but she will be the one they have to catch in a $20,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs on Saturday. Being as sharp as she is right now, she could be gone if she breaks on top in the one-mile race that drew five horses.

Exit Sixty Slew is perfect in two starts at the meet, and the Washington-bred 4-year-old was a dominating winner both times. She set quick fractions in her 6 1/4-length romp in an $8,000 conditional claimer going six furlongs for trainer Blaine Wright on April 21. Acting on behalf of Joe Crawford and Jingyi Zhuang, Exit Sixty Slew was claimed out of the race by trainer Charlie Essex. In her first start for her new connections, she came from a stalking position to win a $15,000 conditional-claiming race by three lengths.

Exit Sixty Slew, who drew post 3, has a win at the distance in a $40,000 starter allowance at Golden Gate Fields for Wright last year, and if leading rider Rocco Bowen can harness her speed, she could be tough to get past in the stretch.

If anyone can, it is Bowen, who was the leading rider last year and is well on his way to repeating. Going into the weekend, he has won 40 races at the meet, 18 more than his nearest pursuer, Kevin Orozco.

The five-pound apprentice allowance Orozco receives will help the cause of First Heritage, who is making her first start after being claimed by Wright for $12,500 out of a sprint that had a top claiming price of $15,000.

A four-time route winner, First Heritage will appreciate the extra yardage she gets in her second start at Emerald.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Exit Sixty Slew, by Abraaj
Last 3 Beyers: 71-73-58

◗ She should have an easy time making the lead, and with two solid interim works, she appears to be primed for another strong effort by Essex, who is winning at a 30 percent clip at the meet.

First Heritage, by First Dude
Last 3 Beyers: 50-66-71

◗ The Florida-bred 4-year-old owns the best Beyer Speed Figure at the distance and could thrive in her first start for Wright.

FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Emerald, Wright has an impressive 47 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time.

McDove, by Proud Citizen
Last 3 Beyers: 66-60-62

◗ Trained by Larry Ross, who has strong numbers with horses going from a sprint to a route, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred should appreciate going around two turns after finishing third going six furlongs in a $15,000 conditional-claiming race April 22.