Grace Bay ready to fire in return

If Grace Bay comes back as good as she left, she could be the winner of a first-level allowance race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Emerald Downs. The six-furlong dash for fillies and mares also has a $32,000 claiming option.

Anyone playing the Emerald Jackpot Pick 7 would be brave to single one of the eight horses entered in what appears to be a wide-open event. The Pick 7 begins in race 3 with a $4,467 carryover.

Trained by Frank Lucarelli, Grace Bay won her last two races at Emerald by a combined 13 1/2 lengths. She was forwardly placed before blowing away her opponents going six furlongs in a maiden special weight race Aug. 20, and came back a week later to crush the one-mile $50,000 Washington Cup Sophomore Fillies by 8 1/4 lengths. She was ridden by Kevin Orozco in both races.

Her next start was at Santa Anita in the $82,435 Unzip Me, where she was in the mix early but faded to finish last in the 6 1/2-furlong race on the downhill turf course.

Following her disappointing effort in her first try on grass, she was turned out for the year. With bullets earned for her last two works over the local surface, she could be ready to fire a big shot in her comeback race.

She will break from the rail with Orozco riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Grace Bay, by Coast Guard

Last 3 Beyers: 69-70-65

◗ She was overmatched in the Unzip Me but fits nicely in this spot. She could make a big impact if she breaks alertly from her inside post.

Retreat Yourself, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 55-40-70

◗ She finished a distant third to Grace Bay in her last start in the Washington Cup Sophomore Fillies. The Doris Harwood-trained 4-year-old won her 2-year-old debut and also her initial start as a sophomore, so she can fire fresh.

Jerrie to Carrie, by Congrats

Last 3 Beyers: 61-57-48

◗ Last year, she won four of her six starts at Emerald and closed her 4-year-old campaign with a runner-up finish behind Morning Blurs in a $35,000 optional claimer Oct. 7 at Hastings.

◗ She is versatile, and her trainer, Kay Cooper, is off to a strong start at the meet with two of her four starters winning.

Getting Joellenned, by Trappe Shot

Last 3 Beyers: 48-63-60

◗ The Tom Wenzell-trained 4-year-old can be tough to get past if she gets her head in front early, and could be gone if she breaks on top with leading rider Rocco Bowen aboard.