Mike Man's Gold back on the beam

If Mike Man’s Gold’s performance in his last race is any indication, the 8-year-old Washington-bred gelding could be ready to go on another roll at Emerald Downs.

Last year, he reeled off four straight wins and five overall from nine starts at the Auburn, Wash., oval. He is coming off an 8 1/4-length romp in a $10,000 starter-allowance race July 1 and is clearly the one to beat in a $20,000 claimer that headlines Saturday’s program. Post time for the first of eight races is 5 p.m. Pacific.

Leading rider Rocco Bowen gunned Mike Man’s Gold to the lead in his last start, and he may use the same tactics in Saturday’s one-mile race, which drew seven older runners.

An 18-time winner with $303,627 in earnings trained by Joe Toye, Mike Man’s Gold is versatile. With other speed drawn inside of him, particularly Trill Point, Bowen could elect to ease him into a stalking position after he breaks from post 5. Mike Man’s Gold earned a career-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure when he came from a stalking position to win the 2014 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic, and he sat just off the speed when he won a $10,000 starter-allowance race in his final start last year.

Sorryaboutnothing could be the beneficiary if an all-out duel between Mike Man’s Gold and Trill Point does develop.

Sorryaboutnothing came from a stalking position to finish second in a one-mile $15,000 claimer June 16, and with a win in the 2016 Grade 3 British Columbia Derby, he has back class to call on.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mike Man’s Gold, by Liberty Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 81-67-55

◗ After a couple of dull efforts to begin the meet, he looked like the horse we saw at Emerald last year in his latest start.

◗ With a sharp interim work July 16, he appears to be primed for another big effort.

Sorryaboutnothing, by Repent

Last 3 Beyers: 79-71-81

◗ He is capable of firing a big shot on occasion. That was a good effort in his latest after going four wide around both turns.

◗ The 5-year-old Florida-bred is in capable hands in trainer G.D. Khalsa, who the past five years has won with 29 percent of his starters.

Alley Boss, by Twirling Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 71-75-79

◗ The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred has won three races from five starts since Toye claimed him on behalf of Bill Jensen for $12,500 on Dec. 10 at Turf Paradise.

◗ He has never won going around two turns, but both times he tried he was running on turf. He earned an 89 Beyer when he won a seven-furlong $20,000 maiden-claiming race at Santa Anita, so a mile might be within his reach.