My Chief remains at winning level
By Randy Goulding
Despite getting jostled around going into the first turn, My Chief easily won a one-mile, $15,000 claiming race for trainer Howard Belvoir at Emerald Downs on Aug. 20. He should be tough to handle when he returns for the same price Friday.
The one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.
It was the first win this year for My Chief, who was coming off a fourth-place finish going six furlongs in a $25,000 conditional claiming race on July 31.
With two wins and a third-place finish at the distance, a mile could be optimal for My Chief. He has good tactical speed and is able to gain a good position without being rushed when he goes around two turns. In his latest win, he stalked an honest pace before taking control at the top of the stretch.
He should get a similar trip after he breaks from post 5 with Javier Matias retaining the mount.
◗Friday kicks off the final weekend of racing at Emerald this year, and while Rocco Bowen is home and cooled out as the leading rider with 102 wins, there is a serious battle between Jeff Metz and Blaine Wright for leading trainer.
Metz, who is going for his fourth straight title, leads 37-36. Metz has two horses entered Friday, and both Bullet Express in the first race and Briana Jean in race 4 are legitimate contenders. Wright doesn’t have any horses entered.
With 33 wins, Frank Lucarelli has an outside chance of winning his sixth training title.
Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
My Chief, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-71
◗ He was very impressive in winning his latest, and when Belvoir has them on top of their game, he can keep them there.
Man of Stature, by My Golden Song
Last 3 Beyers: 73-84-73
◗He hasn’t been worse than third in five starts at Emerald and could fire a big shot coming off the bench for trainer Michael Puhich.
FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Emerald, Puhich has a 27 percent strike rate with horses coming back in 31 to 60 days.
Hoody, by Nationhood
Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-77
◗Trained by Jim Penney, he was overmatched when he took on two-time Grade 3 Longacres Mile winner Stryker Phd in the $50,000 Washington Cup Muckleshoot Tribal Classic in his latest start Aug. 28. Focus on his sharp win in a $10,000 claiming race in his previous start July 24, and he looks like a serious player.