Jerre to Carrie in more realistic spot

Jerre to Carrie will appreciate the class relief when she runs in an optional $40,000 claiming race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Emerald Downs. The one-mile race for fillies and mares drew six horses and goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 5 p.m. Pacific.

Trained by Kay Cooper, Jerre to Carrie rallied from well back to win a one-mile race at this level on July 1 and then could not keep up in the $50,000 Boeing Stakes on July 15. She finished a distant fourth in the 1 1/16-mile race, easily won by Top Quality.

Last year Jerre to Carrie reeled off four straight wins sprinting, with her last two victories in the streak coming in first-level allowance races with a $40,000 claiming option.

She had never won at a middle distance until Leonel Camacho-Flores got her up in time on July 1, and with a fast and contested pace expected, she should get a similar trip in this spot.

She will break from post 3 with leading jockey Rocco Bowen riding.

The speed of the speed is Guardian One, who breaks from the outside post with Gary Wales aboard. The 5-year-old Washington-bred, trained by Chris Stenslie, set fast fractions on her way to winning a $10,000 starter race July 7.

KEY CONTENDERS

Jerre to Carrie, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 67-74-63

◗ The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred was overmatched in the Boeing, but she fits nicely at this level and the shape of the race should work for her.

Guardian One, by Coast Guard
Last 3 Beyers: 75-70-61

◗ She is stepping up in class, but she is trending in the right direction, is the one they will have to run down, and the 75 Beyer she received for her sharp win July 7 is the best last-race figure in the field.

Gazing, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 73-60-63

◗ Trained by Terry Gillihan, she was stretching out to a middle distance for the first time when she finished third to Jerre to Carrie, and has a right to improve with the experience behind her.

Grace Bay, by Coast Guard
Last 3 Beyers: 73-51-69

◗ She was coming off a layoff when she set the pace before giving way late to Jerre to Carrie on July 1. The Frank Lucarelli-trained Washington-bred came from a stalking position when she won the $50,000 Washington Cup Sophomore Fillies, and with plenty of other speed in the field, she could get a similar trip here.