Party Pooper can rebound with better trip in claiming sprint

Contention runs deep in a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that will serve as Friday’s feature at Emerald Downs. The six-furlong dash drew six horses, and a case could be made for or against most of them.

Party Pooper is a good example of the challenge facing handicappers. Beginning last August, he won three straight races for trainer Rigoberto Velasquez, including his first start this year in a $20,000 claiming race May 13.

Party Pooper was claimed by trainer Tim McCanna on behalf of Royal Victory Thoroughbreds, and in his first start for his new connections in a $40,000 optional-claiming race, he finished last on May 28. However, he had an excuse as he got bumped around at the start before rushing up to become the middle horse in a three-horse duel.

Party Pooper is capable of stalking, has had a couple of decent interim works, and if you toss out his latest race, he looks like the one to beat. He drew post 5, with Isaias Enriquez riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Party Pooper, by Desert Party
Last 3 Beyers: 64-87-87

◗ Prior to his last race, the only time the 5-year-old Kentucky-bred finished out of the trifecta was in his third start as a 2-year-old in the $48,000 Birdcatcher at Northlands Park.

FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Emerald, McCanna has a 33 percent strike rate with horses making their second start after being claimed.

Betrbegone, by Parker’s Storm
Last 3 Beyers: 77-63-74

◗ Trained by David Martinez, he is not the most consistent horse around, but he won the $50,000 Seattle Slew as a 3-year-old and was the runner-up to O B Harbor in the $50,000 Budweiser last year. ◗ He won the duel with Party Pooper on May 28 before finishing fourth and could be coming up to a peak performance in his third start this year. He is also running in a claiming race for the first time since he won his debut in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race as a 2-year-old.

Grand Palais, by Grand Slam
Last 3 Beyers: 77-85-80

◗ After finishing third in Party Pooper’s win May 13, he was the runner-up in a $25,000 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs on May 28. Trained by Blaine Wright, he won’t mind the slightly shorter distance, but like others in the field, he does want to be involved early.

Trick or Retreat, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-40

◗ Trained by Doris Harwood, his late rally came up just short in his last two starts at this level, and with plenty of potential speed in the field, he could get up in time if things fall his way.

Grinder Sparksaglo, by Grindstone
Last 3 Beyers: 79-80-70

◗ The Robert Baze-trained 6-year-old has the right style for the race. He drew the rail, though, and will need a cagey ride from Julien Couton, who was the leading rider at Emerald in 2015.