Last-out winners Freiburg and Mystical Image square off

Freiburg and Mystical Image look like the main protagonists in a $25,000 claimer that headlines the final Friday night card at Emerald Downs. The meet concludes Sunday. Post time for the first of seven races Friday is 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

Mystical Image, who will break from the outside post in the seven-horse horse field, took them all the way in a $25,000 claimer for trainer Valentin Garcia in his last start.

Freiburg is stepping up in class while gunning for his third straight win, all for leading trainer Frank Lucarelli.

Jockey Juan Gutierrez, who was aboard both horses for their latest wins, opts to ride Mystical Image.

A son of Southern Image, Mystical Image is looking for his fifth win at the meet and fourth for Garcia, who claimed him for $3,500 off Lucarelli on May 25. Following the claim, the 5-year-old California-bred won his next two starts, in a $10,000 claimer on June 16 and a $3,500 starter race with a $7,500 claiming option on June 30.

Mystical Image is versatile. In two of his wins at the meet he came from off the pace. In his other scores, he led from start to finish.

Freiburg will break from the rail in the 5 1/2-furlong race with Javier Matias picking up the mount.

The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred is making his fourth start for Lucarelli, who claimed him on behalf of leading owner Chad Christensen on June 9 when he finished third in a $15,000 claimer for nonwinners of three.

In his first start for his new connections, Freiburg finished second at the same level on July 3. Breaking from the rail, he came back with a sharp front-running win over next-out winner Legitimate Cause, again in a $15,000 nonwinners of three on July 27.

Showing his versatility, the son of Langfuhr came from a stalking position in his latest win. Freiburg is trending in a positive direction with Beyer Speed Figures of 71, 76 and 77 in his last three races.

If there is an upset, it could come from the Sandi Gann-trained Boundary Bay, who is running for a tag for the first time in his 15-race career.

The 4-year-old son of Harbor the Gold will also appreciate the move back to a sprint after chasing a fast pace going a mile in a conditioned allowance race with a $30,000 claiming option on Aug. 17.

Cody’s Choice, trained by Vince Gibson, will try to take them all the way with leading rider Gary Wales up.

The multiple stakes winner Blue Law will try to turn things around after finishing fifth in a $25,000 claimer for trainer Manny Ortiz on Aug. 24. He could be sitting on a big effort in the third start of his form cycle.

◗ Last Sunday Emerald honored four inductees into the Washington Horse Racing Hall of Fame: Ruth Parton, trainer; Snow Plow, filly or mare; Griffin Place, breeder; and Aaron T. Van de Vanter, lifetime achievement.