Party Pooper looks like tough customer in claimer

Party Pooper looks like the horse to catch and beat in a $10,000 claiming race Saturday at Emerald Downs. The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew nine horses and goes as race 9 on a 10-race card which begins at 2 p.m. Pacific.

Party Pooper is coming off a win at the same level and distance for trainer Tim McCanna on Aug. 26. With leading rider Rocco Bowen aboard, he broke on top and never looked back while easily handling Meatball Paul by 3 3/4 lengths. Acting on behalf of John Parker, trainer Candi Tollett claimed Party Pooper out of his win.

If Party Pooper is able to get clear from the outside post, Parker should get a quick return on his investment.

With Bowen at Hastings on Saturday to ride More Power to Him in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby and Little Dancer in the British Columbia Oaks, Erick Lopez picks up the mount.

:: Get bonus PPs for Saturday’s $25,000-guaranteed late pick four at Hastings

KEY CONTENDERS

Party Pooper, by Desert Party
Last 3 Beyers: 69-50-75

◗ He doesn’t need the lead to win, and he drew a good post where Lopez can ease him into a stalking position if necessary.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: He goes from one good trainer to another, and since 2015 Tollett has a 23 percent strike rate and $2.60 ROI with claimed horses running back the first time.

Credit Line, by Cahill Road
Last 3 Beyers: 66-72-84

◗ The nine-time winner spotted the rest of the field quite a few lengths when he threw his head in the air in his last start, which came going one mile in a $12,500 conditional-claiming race on Aug. 18.

◗ Trainer Rigoberto Velasquez has solid numbers with horses going from a route to sprint. With five wins going six furlongs, the 7-year-old Washington-bred won’t mind the cutback in distance.

◗ He has tactical speed and should get a nice trip from a forward position with Leonel Camacho-Flores riding again.

Meatball Paul, by He’s Tops
Last 3 Beyers: 61-57-56

◗ The Robert Baze-trained 5-year-old was no match for Party Pooper last time. But there is other potential speed in the field, and he could get the right kind of trip.

◗ He’s been part of the trifecta in six of his 10 starts at the meet, so at the least he should be part of any exotics ticket.