Judicial facing much easier company

Judicial looks to regain the sharp form she had in California last winter when she runs in a $25,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs on Friday evening. If she finds it, she will be tough to handle in the six-furlong dash for Washington-bred nonwinners-of-two, which drew six horses.

Post time for the first of seven races is 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

In two solid performances for trainer Mark Glatt at Santa Anita, Judicial finished third on the downhill turf course in a first-level allowance race with a $20,000 claiming option for California-breds on Jan. 25 and was the runner-up at the same level going 6 1/2 furlongs over a main track rated muddy on Feb. 15.

The race on Jan. 25 was elevated when three horses came back to win their next race, including the winner, Gypsy Blu, who was victorious coming down the hill in her next two starts, in a $50,000 starter race Feb. 24 and the $102,106 Irish O’Brien Stakes for Cal-breds March 31.

Following her strong race on Feb. 15, Judicial didn’t fire as the favorite in a first-level allowance race with a $30,000 claiming option at Emerald for trainer Tom Wenzel on May 11. After contesting the pace, she faded to finish fifth in the six-furlong dash. She came back with a similar performance at the same level going 6 1/2 furlongs on June 8.

She is going to appreciate the substantially easier company while running in a conditioned claimer for the first time, and she drew the outside post, from which she could get a nice trip from a stalking position with leading rider Gary Wales aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Judicial, by Tribal Run

Last 3 Beyers: 47-44-72

◗ Anything close to her races at Santa Anita would easily win this, and with a solid interim work on June 22, she could be sitting on a big effort in the third start of her form cycle.

◗ The drop in class is significant for the 4-year-old filly. Guardian One and Jerre to Carrie, who traded places as the winner and runner-up in her last two races, have won 14 races between them.

Sadie Sue, by Sixthirteen

Last 3 Beyers: 52-51-32

◗ She just missed in both of her starts this year in $15,000 claimers for nonwinners of two for trainer Terry Gillihan. The horse that finished two lengths behind her in her last start easily won a $10,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies on June 15.

◗ Being a lightly raced 3-year-old she has a right to improve while making her first start for trainer Blaine Wright, who claimed her on behalf of On The Rocks.

◗ The past five years at Emerald, Wright has a 35-percent strike rate and $2.13 ROI with claimed horses running back the first time.

Coastal Tulips, by Coast Guard

Beyers: 55-60

◗ After a rough trip for trainer Chris Stenslie in her debut, the 4-year-old Washington-bred was a game front-running winner of a $25,000 maiden claimer on May 24.

◗ She could be the one they have to run down, but she showed she can rally after a poor start in her debut, which gives jockey Jose Zunino more than one option if she doesn’t break on top.