Fast dirt may suit Aberdeen Island

It is hard to take a firm stand on any of the 10 horses running in a $25,000 optional-claiming race that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Emerald Downs. Given the lack of a standout in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds, it probably makes sense to zero in on Aberdeen Island, who has the pedigree to be a good horse and will be saddled by leading trainer Blaine Wright.

Aberdeen Island is coming off a fourth-place finish in a $40,000 optional-claiming race at Golden Gate Fields on June 16 and will be making his first start on what should be a fast dirt track. In his only other start on dirt, he may not have cared for the sloppy conditions when he finished sixth as the favorite in the Turf Paradise Derby.

He should be okay running on this surface. His dam, Inish Glora, earned most of her $977,618 running on turf at Woodbine. However, she was a stakes winner at Hastings and the runner-up in the $161,161 British Columbia Breeders’ Cup Oaks. She also was the runner-up in the Washington Breeders’ Cup Oaks at Emerald.

Aberdeen Island’s half-sister Inish Road won the Woodbine Oaks and finished third in the $1 million Queen’s Plate. Aberdeen Island was coming off a four-month layoff in his last start and is eligible to move forward in his second start back with Julien Couton riding. He drew post 9.

Battle Point Red is a maiden, but the 70 Beyer Speed Figure he earned in his debut for trainer Bonnie Jenne is the best last-race figure in this field, and he retains the services of leading rider Rocco Bowen.

KEY CONTENDERS

Aberdeen Island, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 63-49-57

◗ He could take a big step forward in his second start back, and over the past five years at Emerald, Wright has a 37 percent strike rate and a $2.21 ROI with horses going from a synthetic surface to dirt.

◗ The well-bred colt can stalk, and there will be speed coming back to him.

Battle Point Red, by Sixthirteen

Beyer: 70

◗ In his only start, he set wicked fractions and then held on well to finish second behind Hit the Beach, who earned a 77 Beyer for his third-place finish in a $40,000 optional-claiming race in his next start last Sunday.

Sure Sweet, by Elusive Warning

Last 3 Beyers: 40-70-53

◗ The Donna Hjort trainee ran a huge race while coming off a layoff when he finished third at 43-1 in the $50,000 Auburn and may have bounced in the Coca-Cola on June 4. He’s had time to recover from his last-place finish, and he is certainly going to appreciate the substantially easier company.

Shot Gun Gary, by Gemologist

Last 3 Beyers: 66-58-66

◗ After going unplaced in the Auburn in just his second start, he rebounded with a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance race for trainer Doris Harwood on June 10.