Oh Marvelous Me streaks into optional claimer

The horse for the course Oh Marvelous Me will be gunning for his third straight win in a $40,000 optional-claiming race at Emerald Downs on Saturday evening. The 5-year-old Washington-bred has a 4-0-1 record from six starts at Emerald and is 0-2-1 from eight races at other tracks. He figures to be favored in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up that drew six horses.

Trained by Blaine Wright, Oh Marvelous Me began his career with a win in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race at Emerald in May 2016. Following his fourth-place finish in a first-level allowance race in his second start, Wright took him to Northern California, where his best finish in three starts was a third in a $40,000 starter race at Golden Gate Fields.

Oh Marvelous Me made his next five starts in Southern California for trainer Vladimir Cerin, and he wasn’t much of a threat until he was the runner-up in back-to-back $12,500 claiming routes for non-winners of two at Santa Anita on Feb. 9 and March 13.

He’s been on a tear since he returned to Emerald with Wright. He won a $15,000 claiming race for non-winners of three on April 8, followed by a third-place finish in a $25,000 optional claimer where he broke flatfooted and trailed the field early. No mistakes were made when he won his next two races going six furlongs at the same level. The 83 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his 1 3/4-length win over Swingshift Deputy in his last start on June 30 is a career best.

Oh Marvelous Me drew the outside post, with Jose Zunino retaining the mount.

One of the horses he will have to catch is his stablemate, Grand Palais, who will break from post 3 with Julien Couton riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Oh Marvelous Me, by Bluegrass Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-71

◗ He’s been on a roll since he returned to Emerald, and he should get a nice trip stalking Grand Palais and Hit the Beach.

Grinder Sparksaglo, by Grindstone

Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-80

◗ Trained by Robert Baze, he won’t mind the shape of the race after coming from a stalking position to beat Grand Palais in a $25,000 claiming race June 23.

Hit the Beach, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 77-71-63

◗ The lightly raced 4-year-old trained by Hilburn Mullens held on well to finish third in his first start with winners going six furlongs at this level and could be dangerous if he can avoid a duel with Grand Palais.

Hastings tops Emerald in golf

Despite not having its best player due to impending shoulder surgery, Hastings beat Emerald at the annual team golf tournament held at the Lake Padden Golf Course in Bellingham, Wash., last Monday.

“They dominated us,” said Joe Withee, director of publicity at Emerald. “We are going to need more strokes next year.”