Prosecco will try to duplicate impressive last-out effort

Going into her last race, Prosecco had a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 26 and was coming off a poor effort in which she beat one horse in a maiden special weight race May 27.

Running without blinkers and dropping into a maiden-claiming race for the first time June 19, she romped by 11 1/4 lengths, going 6 1/2 furlongs in a quick 1:18.10. She was given an 82 Beyer, and if she comes close to that same figure, she will be an easy winner of a first-level allowance race that headlines Friday’s eight-race card at Northlands Park.

Trainer Dale Saunders wasn’t that surprised by Prosecco’s impressive performance but wasn’t sure if the 3-year-old daughter of Corinthian can repeat it in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares that drew eight horses.

“I’ve always thought she was a decent filly,” said Saunders. “But she has her problems, and you never know if she’s going to be at her best or not. Taking the blinkers off probably helped some, but she wasn’t beating very much.”

Prosecco drew post 4 and will be ridden by Rico Walcott. Walcott rode Prosecco for the first time in her easy win and likely will put her into the race early.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Prosecco (Last 3 Beyers: 82-0-26)

◗ She ran a huge race with the blinkers coming off for the first time, and being a lightly raced 3-year-old filly, she should have plenty of upside potential.

◗ She also has the pedigree to be a decent horse. She is out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Spanish Glitter, who earned $450,600. Prosecco is also a half-sister to Mt. Glittermore, a nine-time winner with earnings of $375,005.

Malibu Annie (Last 3 Beyers: 46-30-54)

◗ She was no match for runaway winner Hero’s Amor in her first start this year at this level, but she figures to move forward with a race behind her.

◗ Trained by Mike Halabi, the 6-year-old mare can stalk, and with stablemate Hi Diddy in the field, there is probably going to be a fast pace.

Wolverina’s Willa (Last 3 Beyers: 30-50-42)

◗ She finished behind Friday rival Beach Premier in her latest but was a bit rank early and then drifted out going into the first turn.

◗ Trained by Jennifer Shafer, she may have bounced following a big effort in her first start this year, where she finished second in a first-level allowance race and earned her career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 50.