First Thought takes big class leap following win
Despite doubling his claiming price after a runner-up finish as the favorite in a $7,500 conditional claimer, First Thought looks dangerous in Friday’s feature at Emerald Downs. The $15,000 claiming race for non-winners of three races lifetime drew seven horses, including Rallying Market, who is the main speed and could end up being favored in the six-furlong dash.
First Thought was running at Oaklawn Park, where he was very popular, being claimed in three of his last four races. After being haltered by Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg on behalf of Muddy Waters Stables LLC on April 9, First Thought was shipped to the Pegasus Training Center to gear up for his first start for trainer Michael Puhich. Puhich is not noted for claiming horses, but in the past two years, three of the eight he did take came back to win.
First Thought, who also finished second as the favorite two starts back, really hasn’t run a bad race on dirt. The only time he finished out of the top three was when he forced a fast pace in a $16,000 optional claimer in his second start this year. He was in the race until midstretch. The runner-up, Long Station, won two of his next three starts and is now a seven-time winner with $264,587 in earnings.
Adding to First Thought’s appeal is that the horse who finished fourth in his narrow loss April 9, Forest Mist, romped in a $15,000 claiming race for non-winners of three at Lone Star in his next start.
First Thought drew post 2, with Javier Matias riding.
Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
First Thought, by Montbrook
Last 3 Beyers: 69-68-71
◗ He has been facing tougher in Arkansas and is versatile, so Matias will have more than one option.
Rallying Market, by Rallying Cry
Last 3 Beyers: 71-71-62
◗ Trained by Vince Gibson, he romped in his first start as a 4-year-old in a $7,500 conditional claimer April 16 and almost took them all the way at this level two weeks later. He is the speed of the speed and could be gone if he breaks on top.
Pakokohe, by Nacheezmo
Last 3 Beyers: 69-61-49
◗ Third in the same race that Rallying Market exits, he missed almost half of 2015 and all of 2016 but came back running to win a $15,000 non-winners-of-two claiming race April 16.