Me Gusta Luna finds friendlier spot

Me Gusta Luna seems the one to beat in Saturday’s $25,000 claiming feature at Emerald Downs. The Rigoberto Velasquez trainee looked like quite the astute $4,500 weanling purchase at Keeneland when winning first time out for a $25,000 tag against maidens on May 20.

The 3-year-old then jumped into the deep end of the pool in the Seattle Stakes only to break poorly and then have a little bit of traffic trouble soon after the start. Me Gusta Luna eventually finished fourth, 6 3/4 lengths behind divisional leader Aloha Breeze.

In her third start, Me Gusta Luna raced for a $30,000 claiming tag. She veered out at the start before forcing the pace and backing up to be fourth, beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Dad’s Estrella.

Saturday’s contest looks to be an easier spot against five foes at various stages of their early evolution. If she is able to avoid getting too far behind a soft pace, Me Gusta Luna figures to be formidable in the stretch.

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Chief among the opposition on Saturday is Chic Samarai, who stumbled badly at the start of her most recent race on July 9. The Blaine Wright trainee landed the inside post Saturday, and is another wanting to avoid getting too far behind in a small field.

Wright said that Chic Samarai in her last race “lost all chance at the start. She needs to find [her] level against winners.”

Chic Samarai will retain the services of Alex Cruz.

A trio of starters won maiden races in either their last or second-to-last starts and could also be said to be seeking just the right level. Among those is Goat Rocks, trained by Jose Navarro, who was a winner on June 24 at the maiden $15,000 claiming level before returning July 14 to set the pace and finish fourth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths.

Goat Rocks probably has the most early foot of anybody in the race, although recent maiden winner Starry Beach may give all she’s got in the early chase. Starry Beach is trained by Jeff Metz and just won a $25,000 maiden claimer on July 7. Rocco Bowen will ride.

Drawn widest in the gate is Donne Cattive, who will be making her fourth start of 2023. The Faustino Patino-trained filly has raced at this class level three times at the present stand, most recently on July 1, when third by two lengths.

The daughter of Blame raced very wide on the turn in her last start after breaking poorly in both prior 2023 outings. She will be ridden by Silvio Amador.

Last-out maiden winner Distinctive Deb, trained by Preston Boyd, put forth more effort than most in that win. She first dueled for the lead down the backstretch and then dropped 3 1/2 lengths back a furlong out only to wear down the leaders with a steady late run. The final quarter-mile being run in 26.54 surely had something to do with the winning move.

Saturday evening racing gets underway at 5 p.m. Pacific with temperatures of 80 degrees expected.

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