Party Pooper looks to atone in sprint

A lot of money was burned when Party Pooper finished second as the heavy favorite in a $25,000 conditional-claiming race at Emerald Downs on April 29. He will try to make amends when he runs at the same level Saturday. Party Pooper should be favored in the six-furlong dash that drew nine horses, but he won’t be as low as 30 cents to the dollar like he was when he lost by a neck to Big Hat Charlie.

The race for 3-year-olds and up is restricted to horses who have never won two races. However, maiden, claiming, and starter races for $22,500 or less are not considered in determining eligibility.

Party Pooper, trained by Mike Puhich, is the only horse in the field with a single win, which came in his second start in the $50,000 New Westminster as a 2-year-old at Hastings in 2014. He probably would have won his last race with Joe Steiner aboard if he didn’t break a step slowly in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint. He appeared to be full of run early, but due to the poor beginning, he was stuck behind horses. He made a strong move while going wide around the turn, but he couldn’t quite catch Big Hat Charlie.

Party Pooper drew post No. 2 with Isaias Enriquez picking up the mount.

Fooled Again looked good in winning a $15,000 claiming race for non-winners of three April 26 and is trained by the red-hot Blaine Wright, who has won with 11 of his 19 starters at the meet.

Cantcatchme has won three of his four races since being claimed by trainer Jeff Metz and figures to be in the mix again.

KEY CONTENDERS

Party Pooper, by Desert Party

Last 3 Beyers: 81-77-63

◗ He is overdue to get his second win, and the 81 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his unlucky runner-up finish in his latest is the top figure in the field.

Fooled Again, by Scat Daddy

Last 3 Beyers: 77-58-74

◗ A stakes winner at 2, he romped when running in a conditional claimer for the first time April 23 and came back with a sharp interim move last Sunday.

Cantcatchme, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 68-69-65

◗ He is stepping up in class after winning a $5,000 starter race April 29, but he showed he can compete at this level when he finished third behind next-out winner Inexcess Again and Raspberry Road in his previous race.

Raspberry Road, by Bellamy Road

Last 3 Beyers: 74-73-42

◗ Trained by Dan Markle, he figures to move forward following his runner-up finish in his first start this year.