Recent winner Spittin Image back in identical spot; pick six carryover is $64,738
Spittin Image paid $15.20 for his 3 3/4-length win over Igottabooboo going six furlongs in an allowance race for nonwinners-of-two or nonwinners-of-three Washington-breds at Emerald Downs on June 9. He will probably be favored when he returns at the same level and distance in the feature race at Emerald on Wednesday evening.
Post time for the first of eight races is 6 p.m. Pacific. Also of significance is the 6:56 post time for the third race, where the pick six begins with a $64,738 carryover.
Trained by Chris Stenslie, Spittin Image earned his victory the hard way. He was hustled early by leading rider Alex Cruz, dueled with Forever Gold through rapid interior fractions of 21.76 and 44.26 seconds, and after disposing of Forever Gold, who finished last, he drew off to win with authority.
It was a big improvement over his first start as a 4-year-old where he faded after forcing the issue at the same level going 5 1/2 furlongs on May 19.
Spittin Image, a Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold, could be tough to handle if he takes another step forward in the third start of his form cycle. However, he will have to deal with plenty of other speed after he breaks from post 3 with Cruz riding.
His stablemate Hard to Deny was favored in the same race, but got bounced around at the start and never really got involved.
A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred by Hard Spun, Hard to Deny closed out 2020 with a runner-up finish behind Papa’s Golden Boy, who is the top sprinter at Emerald this year.
He drew the outside post in the 10-horse field. With a clean break he could get a nice trip sitting just off what figures to be a hot and contested pace. Juan Gutierrez rides.
Igottabooboo is eligible to move forward after finishing second to Spittin Image in his first start this year.
Trained by Rose Simpkins, Igottabooboo is a lightly raced 5-year-old with just four starts. The Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold won his debut in a $15,000 maiden claiming race last July 1 and just missed at this level in his second start. He chased a fast pace before fading to fifth in a similar race on Aug. 13 prior to going on the shelf.
Igottabooboo can stalk and could pick up the pieces if the speed falters. He will break from the inside post with Kevin Radke retaining the mount.
The Rigoberto Velasquez-trained Stand To could be dangerous if he can avoid getting bumped around at the start like he did in his first two starts at the meet in the same races Spittin Image exits.
The 4-year-old son of – you guessed it – Harbor the Gold, Stand To closed out his sophomore campaign on Oct. 22 with a win over Spittin Image in a first-level allowance race with a $30,000 claiming option.