Prisoner brings back class to claiming feature

Prisoner has the look of a standout in Sunday’s $25,000 claiming feature over six furlongs at Emerald Downs.

At the age of 6, Prisoner can be described as an old class horse. Not only is he 11 for 24 in his career, but he has a bankroll of $342,437. The Justin Evans trainee was a winner at Saratoga as recently as last year and debuted in maiden special weight company with a win at Belmont Park in 2020 for trainer Todd Pletcher and Repole Stable.

After some challenging times last winter, the son of Violence found himself in Arizona under the care of Evans, who has brought him back to hand.

The gelding first won a pair at Turf Paradise before a first visit to Emerald Downs, where he immediately made short work of two foes in a $10,000 starter allowance on May 19. Next was an ambitious step into an open allowance affair, where he faced returning veteran Papa’s Golden Boy.

After chasing that foe through a half run in 43.02, Prisoner continued on gallantly to lose by only a length. He then tried stakes company three weeks later, forcing the issue before retreating to be sixth, 5 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

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Nearly two months passed before Prisoner returned on Aug. 17. He dueled from the opening bell with eventual winner, Executive Chef, and lost by three-quarters of a length.

“He had a lot of time [off] before the last race and that didn’t help,” said Evans.

On Sunday, Prisoner is down in class trying to regain his winning ways. He worked Aug. 31, going five furlongs in 1:00.00.

“His work back was very nice and I love his outside draw,” said Evans.

Heading the competition in the six-horse field is A View From Above, a Kay Cooper trainee who last won in June at the $10,000 starter-allowance level. The gelding has disappointed twice since when in for Sunday’s $25,000 claiming tag.

Other threats to the probable favorite will come from D K’s Crown, Welton, and Mister Mafioso. D K’s Crown is a Valentin Garcia trainee who last won at the $10,000 claiming level on July 21.

Welton looked sharp winning at the $25,000 claiming level in June but was fortunate enough to sit third behind a heated pace battle, which just about dropped the race into his lap. The 4-year-old is now trained by Frank Lucarelli.

Mister Mafioso brings a quick turn of foot from the barn of Faustino Patino. The colt could get a jump on the competition in the event Prisoner doesn’t break running.

The other prospect in the group is Smiling Goodbye, who hails from the barn of Debbie Peery. He seeks his first win since May 2023.

Sunday’s eight-race card will commence at 1:40 p.m. Pacific with temperatures expected to be in the upper 70s.

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