Party Pooper looks for third win in six-furlong claimer

It took Party Pooper a while to get his second win, but he has a good chance of repeating when he runs in a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs on Saturday. The six-furlong sprint drew seven horses and headlines a nine-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific.

Party Pooper will take a step up in class with the move into open company after winning a $25,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two May 14. Acting on behalf of Mat Hughes, trainer Rigoberto Velasquez claimed Party Pooper out of his winning race. Velasquez showed some confidence when he entered him in an optional $40,000 claiming race Memorial Day but scratched him to run in the easier spot.

Party Pooper was the runner-up in four straight races prior to his 2 1/2-length win over My Chief in his last start. He could be full of confidence after winning for the first time since he beat Oh Derek in the $50,000 New Westminster in his second start at Hastings as a 2-year-old in 2014.

Leslie Mawing picks up the mount and likely will put Party Pooper into a stalking position after he breaks from post 6.

Dare Me Devil looked good winning a $15,000 claiming race in his first start for trainer Candi Tollett on May 1. She had claimed him off Velasquez for the same price April 17.

Trainer Michael Puhich, who lost Party Pooper to Velasquez, is represented by Man of Stature and Cantcatchme.

Man of Stature just missed in a one-mile, $15,000 claiming race May 22, and Cantcatchme romped going six furlongs in a $5,000 claiming race May 28.

KEY CONTENDERS

Party Pooper, by Desert Party

Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-77

◗ It is hard to knock his consistency, and he has the right running style for the shape of the race.

◗ DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Velasquez has a 32 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time.

Dare Me Devil, by Devil on Ice

Last 3 Beyers: 77-62-88

◗ The classy 8-year-old has compiled a 17-10-7 record from 51 starts and has won four of his last five races.

◗ He does his best running late, and there should be speed coming back to him.

Man of Stature, by My Golden Song

Last 3 Beyers: 78-80-66

◗ Puhich liked him enough to claim him back after losing him for $10,000 in his previous race, where he was also the runner-up going a mile.

◗ He has won sprinting, so he should be okay with the cutback in distance.