Heat Seeking Leta has a lot going for her

Heat Seeking Leta figures to be a short price in a $10,000 starter race at Emerald Downs on Friday. After all, she is coming off a win in a similar race in her first start at the Auburn, Wash., oval, and she is trained by Sam Dronen, who is on fire with five wins from six starters at the meet.

The six-furlong dash for fillies and mares who have started for a claiming price of $10,000 or less in 2021-2022 drew six horses and goes as the sixth race on a seven-race card that begins at 7 p.m. Pacific.

A 5-year-old daughter of Clubhouse Ride, Heat Seeking Leta arrived at Emerald Downs in good form, with a 2-1-0 record in her last four starts. She was trained by Tim McCanna, who claimed her on behalf of Alan Mindell for $5,000 on Oct. 22 at Golden Gate Fields.

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Mindell received a quick return on his investment when Heat Seeking Leta won a $5,000 conditioned claimer Nov. 13 at Golden Gate Fields. After losing by a neck in a similar race, she won at the same level Jan. 30. In her race prior to her victory at Emerald, she finished fourth as the favorite in $8,000 conditioned claimer Feb. 18.

Heat Seeking Leta did not race again until May 29 at Emerald. In her first start with Dronen as trainer and his wife, Carol, as owner, Heat Seeking Leta showed an affinity for the Emerald surface when she came from a stalking position to defeat Friday rival Classic Leah.

She drew post 2 for Friday’s race and figures to get a similar trip with Alex Cruz retaining the mount.

Classic Leah was making her first start of the year on May 29 and has a right to move forward with a race under her belt. Trained by Vince Gibson, Classic Leah chased a fast pace in the 5 1/2-furlong dash and could be the one they have to run down from post 5 with Kevin Orozco up.

The Bob Meeking-trained Emerald Sea should also move forward in her second start of the year and she will not mind having a bit more distance to work with after finishing fifth in the May 29 race.

A 4-year-old Washington-bred daughter of Tizbud, Emerald Sea closed out 2021 with back-to-back wins going a mile at Emerald in a $5,000 nonwinners of two July 29 and an $8,000 nonwinners of three Sept. 21. Emerald Sea is capable of sprinting, as evidenced by her win going 5 1/2 furlongs in an $8,000 maiden claimer in 2020. She could be dangerous for Meeking, who the past five years has won with 19 percent of his starters who were making their second start back following a layoff of 180 days or more.

Emerald Sea will break from the inside post with Jose Zunino up.

Trainer Joe Toye will be represented by Le Tub, who figures to be in the mix early, and Red Noon Rising, who should be rolling late.

Sleepy Sue, who is coming off a front-running win in an $8,000 maiden claimer for trainer Howard Belvoir May 15, completes the field.