Luck Out appears to be primed for Monday feature

The last time Luck Out raced, it appeared that the 4-year-old filly was on her way to a win in a $25,000 conditional-claiming race at Emerald Downs on May 7. However, just when she was about to take control of the six-furlong dash for fillies and mares, the leader, Dance With Effie, drifted out, causing Luck Out to clip heels and fall.

Luck Out returns in a $20,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at Emerald on Monday, and if her bullet five-furlong work from the gate in 58.80 seconds on Aug. 28 is any indication, she is ready for a big effort in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint that drew seven horses.

Trained by Blaine Wright, Luck Out had been off for more than four months before winning a $20,000 claiming race in her first start of the meet April 22. In typical fashion, she was well back early before finishing full of run to beat Dance With Effie by a half-length.

It wasn’t surprising that she appeared to be well on her way to a second straight win when she was interfered with. After all, last year she reeled off three wins in a row at Emerald before going unplaced in a $16,000 starter race at Santa Anita.

There should be an honest-enough pace to set her up Monday, and she should get a clean trip after breaking from the outside post with Leslie Mawing retaining the mount.

Parkers Delight looks like the main threat. Trained by Frank Lucarelli, Parkers Delight was last early before she rallied to finish a half-length behind Dance With Effie in a $20,000 claiming race Aug. 21.

The versatile 4-year-old has tactical speed, though, and could get a nice trip from a stalking position if she breaks alertly from the rail with Jose Zunino aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Luck Out, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: NA-68-58

◗ She can fire fresh, and with four solid works in August, she appears to be primed for a big effort coming off the bench.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Emerald, Wright has a 38 percent strike rate with horses coming back in 61 to 180 days.

Parkers Delight, by Parker’s Storm Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 68-70-66

◗ A three-time winner at the meet, she should be right there if Zunino can work out a clean trip from the rail.

Big night for the old guys

A special feat occurred at Emerald on Friday night, with 92-year-old trainers Don Munger and Arturo Arboleda winning races. Munger won the first race with Jima ($9.20), and Arboleda won the fourth with Cozzabi ($21.40).

It was a night for veteran trainers, as Bob Meeking, 88, won the nightcap with Sophie Dopey ($4.20), and the youngster in the group, Neill Knapp, 80, had Cash N Dash ($7.20) ready to roll in the fifth race.