Hot, contested pace could set up closer in Emerald feature

Alleva appears a tepid favorite in a speed-laden field in Friday’s six-furlong, $15,000 claiming feature at Emerald Downs.

Just six runners are entered, but a trio of those have never won without having the lead at every call. That means the early fractions could be torrid on the fast dirt surface.

Both Peso and Fantastic Day are trained by Jorge Rosales. Peso is a July 28 claim for $15,000 by Rosales, whose record first off the claim is remarkable. Rosales has a 38 percent win rate at Emerald Downs over the past five years in first-off-the-claim situations, and that number leaps to 52 percent when they are less than 3-1 at post time.

Peso, a 4-year-old gelding by Pioneerof the Nile, is lightly raced and has a 3-for-5 record on a fast track. His dam, Intangaroo, won a trio of Grade 1 stakes, including the Santa Monica at Santa Anita, Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs, and the Ballerina at Saratoga, all in 2008.

Fantastic Day is a confirmed closer. With so much speed signed on, he could inherit the victory. In his first sprint race in August 2020, Fantastic Day came from just off the pace to beat $8,000 maiden claimers at Emerald by 22 1/2 lengths. The 6-year-old gelded son of Medaglia d’Oro is 8 for 20 when racing either six or 6 1/2 furlongs.

Justin Evans will saddle Polacco and Alleva. Pollaco will make his first start for Evans after previously being trained by Jill Soranno.

“Polacco is an incredibly talented horse, [and] I’m looking forward to his future with me,” Evans said.

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Alleva is returning from a two-month layoff after racing 32 times between July 2021 and June 11. The 7-year-old gelding by Goldencents has a versatile running style, but coming in fresh he could get drawn into the pace battle.

“He’s doing great, works have been sharp, he’s fit and looks wonderful,” Evans said. “The tough part will be getting him and Polacco to leave each other alone on the front end.”

In addition to Polacco, the other one-dimensional speed types are A View From Above, who drew the rail for trainer Kay Cooper, and New Every Morning, trained by Vince Gibson.

Despite yielding eye-catching running times, the Emerald Downs surface isn’t often truly tested from gate to wire as may be the case on Friday evening. Many of this season’s quickest final times at Emerald have featured a moderate-for-Emerald opening quarter-mile. It will be interesting to see the final time with the pace hot and heavy from the start.

First post on Friday is 7 p.m. Pacific, with temperatures slightly cooler than the anticipated daytime high near 75 degrees.

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