Grand Palais sharp enough to handle rise in class

Grand Palais set quick fractions and kept rolling when he made his seasonal debut going six furlongs in a $10,000 claiming race April 29 at Emerald Downs. Expect more of the same when he runs in a $20,000 claiming race that will serve as the Friday feature at Emerald.

The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

Trained by Blaine Wright, Grand Palais was coming off a runner-up finish in a $10,000 claimer Sept. 25 at Pleasanton, and with the waiver-claiming rules at Emerald, the 6-year-old Florida-bred wasn’t eligible to be claimed. With Erik Lopez aboard, he broke sharply but was under pressure from Mitch and John E for the first half-mile in the six-furlong dash. After disposing of the other speed, he drew off from his overmatched rivals. The runner-up, Sorryaboutnothing, and Mitch and John E, who finished fifth, both came back to win.

Grand Palais was good enough to win a $25,000 optional-claiming race at Emerald last year and could be tough to reel in if he breaks alertly from post 4 with Lopez retaining the mount.

The Press came up empty when he was favored in his first start of the year, which came going 6 1/2 furlongs at this level May 12. Trained by Howard Belvoir, he has enough speed to stay in touch with Grand Palais early, and with a race behind him could be sitting on a big effort Friday. The Press won the 2016 Washington Cup 3-year-old race.

He will break from post 3 with Jennifer Whitaker riding again.

KEY CONTENDERS

Grand Palais, by Grand Slam

Last 3 Beyers: 80-71-57

◗ He is the speed of the speed, and considering that Wright has a 36 percent strike rate with horses moving up in value by 50 percent or more in the last five years at Emerald – look out.

The Press, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 61-83-74

◗ He was winless last year, but he was facing substantially tougher horses until his final start. He fits nicely with this group and figures to get a nice trip from a forward position.

Huya, by Houseofroyalhearts

Last 3 Beyers: 55-57-76

◗ The Candi Tollett-trained 5-year-old broke a step slowly and was squeezed back early in a first-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option May 13.

◗ A four-time sprint winner at Emerald, he could be dangerous if he breaks alertly from post 5 with leading rider Rocco Bowen picking up the mount.