Linchpin Storm jumps up after maiden romp
Linchpin Storm will try to prove his six-length romp in an $8,000 maiden claimer was no fluke when he takes a big step up in class in a $25,000 claimer for nonwinners-of-two that will serve as the feature race at Emerald Downs on Saturday.
The 6 1/2- furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew nine horses and goes as the ninth race on a 10-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.
Trained by Alan Bozell, Linchpin Storm never got involved in his debut when he finished sixth in a $5,000 maiden-claiming race July 11. It was a good field for the level as the winner, Whidbey Prince, repeated in an $8,000 claimer for nonwinners-of-two and Run Cordi Run, who finished third, came back to win a $5,000 maiden claimer by three lengths July 29.
Linchpin Storm took a huge step forward in his second start, and the 72 Beyer Speed Figure he received tops anything the horses he is facing Saturday have ever produced. It was an odd race in that the first six finishers never changed positions at any of the call points in the six-furlong dash, and the only change occurred when the horse that finished seventh moved up from last in the eight-horse field at the half-mile call.
A Washington-bred son of Linchpin, Linchpin Storm will break from post 3 with Jose Zunino up.
If Linchpin Storm finds the rise in class too steep, trainer Kay Cooper could win the wide-open event with either Time ’n Time Again, who breaks from the rail, or Forty Smooches, who drew post 8.
Forty Smooches is more attractive as he figures to move forward in just his second start following a lengthy layoff. The 4-year-old Washington-bred son of Munnings had not run since he went unplaced in the $75,000 Ascot Juvenile at Hastings in 2019 when he finished fifth as the favorite in an allowance race for nonwinners-of-two or Washington-bred nonwinners-of-three on Aug. 28.
With his decent tactical speed, he should get a nice trip from a forward position with Leslie Mawing riding.
Time ’n Time Again is coming off a third in the same race Forty Smooches exits, but with a 1-7-9 record from 25 starts he seems content to settle for minor awards.
Franks Fix It, who finished second in the same race, will try to make amends for his loss as the favorite in a $25,000 nonwinners-of-two on Sept. 9. The 3-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Gold Aly is trained by Candi Cryderman.
A case could be made for any of the horses entered, including the Jeff Metz-trained Audace, who finished third in the same race Franks Fix It exits.