Guinevere’s Finale back sprinting in optional claimer

Guinevere’s Finale figures to be a short price in a $25,000 optional-claiming race Sunday at Emerald Downs. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares drew six horses and goes as race 10 on an 11-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific with a couple of Quarter Horse races.

Trained by David Martinez, Guinevere’s Finale is trending in the right direction, with increased Beyer Speed Figures in three straight races. She is coming off a big effort July 26 in a 1 1/16-mile allowance in which she set an honest pace under pressure and held on well to finish second. The winner, Our Little Helen, had the perfect trip from a stalking position. The horse Guinevere’s Finale outdueled was the multiple stakes winner Madame Pele, who came back to finish third in the $65,000 Emerald Downs Distaff last Sunday.

Guinevere’s Finale won her debut going six furlongs and shouldn’t mind the move back to a sprint with Rocco Bowen retaining the mount.

Spot On Babe looks like the main threat. Trained by Frank Lucarelli, the 5-year-old mare was the runner-up going 5 1/2 furlongs for the same condition Aug. 7.

Hastings-based trainer Nancy Betts won with the only horse she started at Emerald this year, Dashing Don, and she is hoping Imakittensjoy will improve while moving to a larger track following a couple of dull efforts in Vancouver.

Key contenders

Guinevere’s Finale (Last 3 Beyers: 78-68-55)

* The 78 Beyer she received for her gutsy performance in her latest stands out, and she went into the race off a solid effort going six furlongs in a $50,000 optional-claiming race July 5.

DRF Formulator Fact: Since 2012, Martinez has a 24 percent strike rate with horses going from a route to a sprint.

Spot On Babe (Last 3 Beyers: 69-41-59)

* The only five-time winner in the field could be the one they have to catch if she breaks on top with Leslie Mawing riding. She is versatile, however, and could get a nice trip from a stalking position if she has to.

Caliente Gold (Last 3 Beyers: 58-68-49)

* The Marshall Allen-trained sophomore is a maiden, but she’s had only three starts and is coming off a runner-up finish as the even-money favorite in a one-mile, $25,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-old fillies July 24.

* She won’t mind the move back to a sprint and could take a big step forward with the blinkers going on for the first time.