Percentages point toward Granite Basin

AUBURN, Wash. - Granite Basin looks like the one to beat in Thursday's feature, a 6 1/2-furlong race for $7,500 claimers that has drawn a field of seven 3-year-olds.

Granite Basin, a son of Benton Creek who races for Adam Lewis, is coming off a three-race campaign at Turf Paradise that netted a debut win at the maiden $12,500 level on March 17. Granite Basin was claimed out of that race by trainer Mike Chambers, and he came back to finish fourth against $12,500 winners on April 1 and second against $10,000 company on April 20. Granite Basin has worked twice over the local surface for Chambers, who has scored with 31 percent of his starters at this meeting and 44 percent of his starters in 2008. Seth Martinez, who will ride Granite Basin, has won aboard 46 percent of the 127 Chambers trainees he has ridden over the past two seasons.

The chances of Restless River will also be bolstered by a hot trainer/jockey combination. Restless River, trained by Howard Belvoir, has won 1 of 3 starts at the meet with Belvoir's main rider, Jennifer Whitaker. Kevin Radke will take over the mount on Thursday, and that is worth noting, because although Radke has ridden only 10 of Belvoir's horses at the meet, he has won aboard five, for a return of more than $4 for each $2 wagered.

Also of interest is Glory Bound, who is coming back after running fourth to $12,500 rivals just last Saturday. He will be ridden by leading rider Ricky Frazier for the first time.