Harbor Outlaw faces big ask in repeat attempt
If Harbor Outlaw can run as well as he did when he won his most recent start by 3 3/4 lengths over Tig on June 12, he will be tough to beat in an allowance race for nonwinners of two or Washington-bred nonwinners of three at Emerald Downs on Saturday. After all, he is coming back for the same condition, and the 75 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his emphatic victory stands out in this field.
It seems like a big “if,” though, as the 4-year-old gelding by Harbor the Gold went into the race with a career-best 51 Beyer, and in his previous start finished last at the same level June 4.
Saturday’s six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 2:15 p.m. Pacific.
Trained by Bonne Jenne, Harbor Outlaw did have an excuse in his race June 4, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint. With Javier Matias riding, he steadied after breaking from the rail, dropped back to last, and never got involved. It was also his first start of the year.
Coming back eight days later, Harbor Outlaw broke sharply from post 4 with Kassie Guglielmino aboard, chased a fast pace set by Tig, and took control of the 5 1/2-furlong dash in midstretch.
Harbor Outlaw had not shown that kind of speed in any of his eight previous races, and in his only other victory he was last early before finishing full of run in a $25,000 claimer for nonwinners of two Sept. 5.
Harbor Outlaw will break from post 4 on Saturday and will likely receive an aggressive ride by Juan Gutierrez, who is picking up the mount from the injured Guglielmino.
The Rosie Simpkins-trained Tig held on well to be the runner-up in his first start since he finished last in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby on Sept. 3, 2020, and he faces Harbor Outlaw again on Saturday.
A 5-year-old Washington-bred gelding, Tig came back with a half-mile breeze in 48.40 seconds June 23 and has a right to move forward in his second start back. He could be tough to reel in from post 5 with Kevin Radke retaining the mount.
Ethan’s Animal, who also did not race in 2021, is trending in the right direction for trainer Blaine Wright and could be dangerous if he continues to progress after finishing second at the same level June 26. He can stalk, and could get a nice trip sitting off what could be an honest and contested pace.
Hastings-based Nine One One, another who sat out the 2021 season, forced the issue on his way to a three-length victory in a maiden special weight race at Emerald on May 15, and with just two starts, the 4-year-old could have plenty of upside. Trained by Rob Gilker, he finished second in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 2-year-olds at Hastings in September 2020.
Nine One One has been training forwardly at Hastings and was on his toes when he worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.60 seconds July 2.