Goldie's Darlins among several contenders in Saturday feature

In what appears to be a wide-open feature race for fillies and mares Saturday at Emerald Downs, there is a Daily Racing Form Formulator Fact that could tip the scales in favor of Goldie’s Darlins. This will be her first start for trainer Blaine Wright, who the past five years has a 38 percent strike rate and $2.35 return on investment with claimed horses running back the first time.

Other than that, it is hard to separate Goldie’s Darlins, Semi Sweet, and Fortune’s Freude in the $10,000 starter race with a $15,000 claiming option.

Another possibility in the one-mile race, which drew six horses, is Papa Mambo. The 7-year-old California-bred is coming off a runner-up finish behind Hastings-based Under Par in a conditioned allowance with a $30,000 claiming option on June 30. Papa Mambo is a nine-time winner sprinting but has never won going a middle distance. She did finish third going a mile on turf in an $8,500 starter with a $12,500 claiming option for trainer Joe Toye at Turf Paradise on Jan. 2, though.

The highly competitive event goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 5:30 p.m. Pacific.

Goldie’s Darlins goes from one good trainer to another. In her last three starts, all for Pablo De Jesus, she beat Fortune’s Freud and Semi Sweet in a $10,000 starter on May 26, finished third behind them as the favorite at the same level June 9, and was the runner-up, again as the chalk, in a $12,500 claiming race June 22.

Goldie’s Darlins will break from post 3 with Juan Gutierrez aboard. He will likely have Goldie’s Darlins in a stalking position early.

KEY CONTENDERS

Goldie’s Darlins, by Car Talk

Last 3 Beyers: 55-67-64

◗ There was bit of a regression in her last race, but she was up close to a fast pace and the horse that finished directly behind her, Afleet Hope, came back to win a $10,000 claimer with a 63 Beyer Speed Figure.

Fortune’s Freude, by Freud

Last 3 Beyers: 67-61-69

◗ The Kay Cooper-trained 4-year-old is trending in the right direction, and in her only route attempts she was the runner-up in $10,000 starter races behind Semi Sweet on June 9 and Goldie’s Darlins on May 26.

◗ A deep closer, she should be rolling late with Kevin Orozco riding.

Semi Sweet, by Fort Larned

Last 3 Beyers: 41-69-60

◗ Trained by Bob Meeking, she was up against it facing stakes winners in her latest start. However, she fits nicely in this spot and is reunited with leading rider Gary Wales who was aboard for her win over Fortune’s Freude two starts back race.

Papa Mambo, by Papa Clem

Last 3 Beyers: 65-64-64

◗ She will appreciate the class relief after chasing stakes-placed Under Par, who has compiled an impressive 7-3-1 record from 10 starts and received an 85 Beyer for her blowout win in her first start at Emerald.

◗ Papa Mambo has been kept sprinting for most of her 37-race career, but being the first foal out of a mare who won going long on turf and dirt, she could be okay going a middle distance on dirt the first time.