Hit the Beach should be finishing fast

Hit the Beach and Grinder Sparksaglo meet again in a conditioned allowance race with a $30,000 claiming option on Saturday night at Emerald Downs. The one-mile race drew eight horses, including Mike Man’s Gold who will be going for a record number of wins at Emerald. With other speed drawn inside of him, the classy 9-year-old will probably have to wait for another opportunity to break the tie, 21 wins, with West Seattle Boy.

On the other hand, Hit the Beach will appreciate the shape of the race. He took advantage of a fast pace when he beat Grinder Sparksaglo by a length going six furlongs in a conditioned allowance race with a $50,000 claiming option Aug. 4.

Trained by nonagenarian Hilbern Mullens, Hit the Beach won the only time he went a mile in his 26-race career. He should be rolling late in a race that figures to unfold at a fast clip. A good performaance Saturday would set him up perfectly to defend his title in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic on Sept. 15. He showed his versatility in last year’s Classic when he stalked a fast pace before winning the 1 1/16-mile race by 3 1/2 lengths.

Saturday he will break from post 5 with Jose Zunino retaining the mount.

Grinder Sparksaglo also is versatile, and the 14-time winner could get a nice trip sitting just off speed that probably won’t last.

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The Robert Baze trainee will break from post 7 with Juan Gutierrez riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Hit the Beach, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 75-77-80

◗ Following decent efforts in three stakes, he appreciated the class relief in his last start. The 6-year-old Kentucky-bred is capable of stringing strong races together as evidenced by his win in the $25,000 Pete Pedersen two weeks after the Classic.

Grinder Sparksaglo, by Grindstone

Last 3 Beyers: 73-79-76

◗ Similar to Hit the Beach, he was running okay with stakes company before winning a conditioned allowance race with a $30,000 claiming option on July 20. He had the lead at the eighth pole before giving way grudgingly in his runner-up finish to Hit the Beach.

◗ With a 14-12-12 record from 56 starts, at the very least he should be part of any exotics ticket.

Upo, by Archarcharch

Last 3 Beyers: 76-81-81

◗ Trained by Blaine Wright, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred broke a step slow when he was the runner-up in Grinder Sparksaglo’s win on July 20.

◗ He is looking for his first win on dirt and could get it with the right kind of trip.

◗ He won a $40,000 maiden claimer coming down the hill at Santa Anita last year. His other win came going 1 1/16 miles in a $50,000 starter on the Golden Gate Fields turf course May 9.

Not Yet, by Colonel John

Last 3 Beyers: 74-76-76

◗ Trained by Robert Gilker, he does his best running late and will find these easier than he faced in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors’ on July 14 at Hastings.