Guardingthemoney might be the one in wide-open race

Take your pick among any of the six horses entered in a $10,000 starter race with a $15,000 claiming option that will serve as the feature Friday at Emerald Downs. The highly competitive one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up goes as race 6 on a seven-race program that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

The Jose Navarro-trained Guardingthemoney is coming off a solid effort going six furlongs at the same level, and the 76 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his third-place finish in that July 12 race is the best last-race figure in the field.

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The race has been productive, as the runner-up, Iron Rob, came back to beat Wine at Nine in a similar race going 6 1/2 furlongs July 28.

Guardingthemoney has good speed and is a three-time winner at the one-mile distance. In his most recent win, he took them all the way going a mile in a $12,500 claimer on May 26. He is capable of stalking, though. Either way, he should get a nice trip from a forward position with Javier Gutierrez retaining the mount. He will break from post 4.

KEY CONTENDERS

Guardingthemoney, by Coast Guard

Last 3 Beyers: 76-63-56

◗ He took a step backward following his win on May 26, but he is on an upward trend now and is certainly capable of winning if he shows up with his best stuff.

Buckley Bay, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 61-57-63

◗ Trained by Joe Toye, he pressed an honest pace on his way to winning a $15,000 claimer going 1 1/16 miles on July 14 and should get a similar trip with leading rider Gary Wales keeping the faith.

◗ He has a 4-2-0-record from 11 starts at Emerald, so he likes the surface, and with back-to-back wins last year he also is capable of putting solid races together.

Rough and Ready, by Nacheezmo

Last 3 Beyers: 67-57-54

◗ The 5-year-old is going for the hat trick, and he received a career-best Beyer, a 67, for his sharp victory in a $7,500 claimer on July 13.

◗ Trained by Alan Bozell, he came from a stalking position to win the one-mile race and should get a cozy trip breaking from the inside post Friday with Ryan Barber riding.

Playoff Bound, by Artie Schiller

Last 3 Beyers: 59-76-71

◗ The second starter from Toye, he was chasing 15-time winner Wine At Nine before he faded in a $10,000 starter on June 29. It was his second start at Emerald, and he was very game losing a $10,000 starter race by a head in his previous race.

◗ Another one that figures to be forwardly placed, and he won’t be chasing Wine At Nine this time.