Olivia's Choice drops in class for second dirt try

Olivia’s Choice will drop in class to face a half-dozen others in a $15,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two at 6 1/2 furlongs on Friday at Emerald Downs.

The Justin Evans trainee comes off a challenging trip against $25,000 claimers in her first race over the Emerald course two weeks ago. She broke slowly from the gate and then raced very wide on the turn before checking in fourth as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering.

“The first race was a rough trip,” Evans said. “She’s been training great.”

Luis Negron will again ride Olivia’s Choice on Friday.

The 4-year-old daughter of Australian-bred Elzaam raced three times on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields earlier this year and gave a strong account of herself in each race, winning a $25,000 maiden claimer and finishing third in a pair of starter allowances.

Olivia’s Choice is certainly vulnerable to a lack of serious pace in front of her. The pace picture on Friday should pit recent maiden winner Goat Rocks against Queensboro, who drew the rail and will attempt to escape traffic.

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Although still unproven on dirt, Olivia’s Choice has earned Beyer Speed Figures at Golden Gate that would have her well in the clear of Friday’s foes, including a field-best 71.

There are many candidates for improvement in the field, chief among them Queensboro, who will be making her second start of 2023 for trainer Scott Freeman. The Verrazano filly raced three times in the maiden ranks at Emerald last year, earning a first, second, and third for her efforts.

Lassie Cat will make her second start of the meet for trainer Dan Markle, who anticipated prior to her June 24 start that “she may need more time to recover from the big effort at Golden Gate and the ship here to Emerald.” Lassie Cat has settled in and worked twice since finishing fifth at this level.

Tom Wenzel-trained Princess Payton will race without blinkers for the first time this year. She was doing her best work in 2022 when not wearing the head gear. The 4-year-old daughter of Unified is another who is dropping from $25,000 claiming in search of a win.

Get My Point, a 3-year-old filly by Stanford, has been experimenting in the stakes ranks at both Emerald and Golden Gate while finishing poorly each time. The Jorge Rosales trainee will be ridden by Alex Cruz and will be looking for a confidence booster.

The last time Get My Point sprinted in California, she earned a Beyer of 60, which would stand prominently against most in this race. Although a rank outsider in the Seattle Stakes last month, Get My Point failed to make it clear whether she can be expected to handle dirt as well as she did the Tapeta at Golden Gate.

Friday’s first post is 7 p.m. Pacific, with evening temperatures expected to be in the 70s.

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