Huya vs. Noble Nick again

Huya and Noble Nick will renew their rivalry in an optional $40,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs on Saturday. Huya should be a slight favorite over Noble Nick in the 6 1/2-furlong dash that drew seven horses. Post time for the first of eight races is 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

Trained by Candi Tollett, Huya came from a stalking position when he edged Noble Nick by a neck in a similar race May 29, and they were both stretching out to a middle distance for the first time when they ran in a one-mile, $40,000 optional-claiming race June 29. Huya, ridden by Juan Gutierrez, sat just off the quick pace, opened up a one-length lead in midstretch, but couldn’t hold off Wando Cat, who rallied late.

Noble Nick, trained by Frank Lucarelli, broke well enough under Leslie Mawing, but he didn’t show his usual speed. Instead, he dropped well back before unleashing a strong late move to finish third.

In Noble Nick’s narrow loss to Huya in his previous race, he forced the pace and opened up a two-length advantage at the eighth pole.

Huya worked a sharp half-mile in 47.80 seconds last Sunday. A day later, Noble Nick breezed the same distance in 49.40 seconds.

Huya is versatile, and Gutierrez will have more than one option after he breaks from the outside post.

The only time Noble Nick won, he broke on top and kept rolling. He showed that he doesn’t need the lead to run a good race in his last start. Nonetheless, if he breaks alertly from post 3, Mawing likely will be asking him to use his good speed right from the start.

KEY CONTENDERS

Huya, by Houseofroyalhearts

Last 3 Beyers: 66-64-49

◗ The only three-time winner in the field is trending in the right direction and should get a nice trip from his outside post.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Since Tollett began training full time last year, she has an 18 percent strike rate and a $2.49 ROI with horses going from a route to a sprint.

Noble Nick, by Zensational

Last 3 Beyers: 64-63-65

◗ Not sure why he didn’t show his good speed in his latest, but he will appreciate the move back to a sprint and could be the one they have to catch if he leaves there running.

Valid Keiki, by Successful Appeal

Last 3 Beyers: 60-66-69

◗ Also trained by Lucarelli, he beat Noble Nick by a half-length two back but couldn’t catch Huya and his stablemate when he was favored in his latest May 29. He may have tipped his hand when he worked a sharp three furlongs in 35.40 seconds June 20.