He's Not Grey the one to catch in starter spot

He’s Not Grey stands out in a $10,000 starter race that has a $15,000 claiming option Sunday at Emerald Downs. The 6 1/2-furlong feature for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses, but it is hard to go past He’s Not Grey who has won seven of his last eight starts for trainer Candi Cryderman.

The feature goes as race nine on a 10-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific.

He’s Not Grey has been on a roll at Emerald since he won a $7,500 claimer for nonwinners of two last year on July 22. After a narrow win in a $7,500 nonwinners of three, he closed his 2018 campaign with a seven-length victory in a $10,000 claimer Sept 2.

The 4-year-old California-bred came back as good as he left, easily winning a $10,000 starter race on April 20 before suffering his only loss in the streak in another $10,000 starter race.

He won his next three starts by a combined 19 1/4 lengths, and in most of his races he took control of the race right from the start.

The speed of the speed, he could be gone if he breaks alertly from post 3 with leading jockey Gary Wales riding. Wales was aboard He’s Not Grey in all of his five starts at the current meet.

:: Take 20% off our entire store with code XMAS, offer ends Sunday at midnight ET

KEY CONTENDERS

He’s Not Grey, by Slew’s Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 82-84-80

◗ He had to work a little harder in his latest win, but after dueling with Guardingthemoney through quick interior fractions he was a decisive two-length winner over Iron Rob.

◗ He will have to deal early with Wheel Rally, another speed type breaking from the rail, and possibly Wine At Nine, who drew post 5, but He’s Not Grey can stalk, so Wales has more than one option.

Iron Rob, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 76-64-64

◗ The Ken Alison-trained 6-year-old took a big step forward in his last start, and he has the right running style in a race that figures to have a fast and contested pace. He also gets an extra sixteenth to work with, and five of his eight wins have come at this distance.

Wine At Nine, by Divine Park
Last 3 Beyers: 76-74-76

◗ A 15-time winner, he knows where the wire is and won’t mind the move back to a sprint after romping in a one-mile $10,000 starter race June 29.

◗ Trained by Vince Gibson, the 7-year-old Kentucky-bred likes to be in front, but he doesn’t need the lead to win and could get a nice trip sitting just off He’s Not Grey and Wheel Rally.

Its Allabout Jerry, by Grindstone
Last 3 Beyers: 57-82-79

◗ Trained by Rigoberto Velasquez, he was coming off a layoff of more than two years when he finished third in a $10,000 claimer July 7.

◗ He’s had an interim work, which makes it easy to imagine him taking a big step forward in his second start back.