Scat Daddybaby, Arrom Bear meet again in Monday feature
A four-pound shift in the weights could give Scat Daddybaby a slight edge over Arrom Bear in an optional $40,000 claiming race at Emerald Downs on Monday. The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew nine horses and headlines a Memorial Day card that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific.
Arrom Bear got the best of Scat Daddybaby in a similar race May 7, and they are clearly the main players here.
Scat Daddybaby, trained by Robert Baze, has just one way of going and should be the one they have to run down. Breaking alertly with Juan Gutierrez aboard last out, he set wicked interior fractions of 21.59 seconds and 42.66. He held a two-length advantage over Arrom Bear at the eighth pole before giving way late to finish second. He was beaten only three-quarters of a length while carrying the same weight as Arrom Bear, 120 pounds. With Arrom Bear packing 124 pounds Monday, Scat Daddybaby might be able to fend him off.
Scat Daddybaby drew post No. 5, with Gutierrez retaining the mount.
Trained by Frank Lucarelli, Arrom Bear came from a stalking position to edge Scat Daddybaby and likely will run a similar race after breaking from post No. 7, with Javier Matias retaining the mount.
With six wins from 14 starts, he certainly knows how to win races. His only races on dirt have been at Emerald, where he has won half of his six starts.
KEY CONTENDERS
Scat Daddybaby, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 90-29-49
◗ He probably didn’t get a lot out of his first start this year, failing to get involved in a $50,000 optional-claiming race April 10. With a solid race behind him and a five-furlong breeze May 22, he could be sitting on a peak effort. Catch him if you can.
Arrom Bear, by Nationhood
Last 3 Beyers: 91-75-78
◗ The versatile 4-year-old could be vulnerable while carrying 124 pounds and is a bounce candidate after earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure. Nonetheless, he is capable of stringing solid races together and should get a nice trip from a stalking position.
Party Pooper, by Desert Party
Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-77
◗ He is stepping into open company after winning a $25,000 claiming race for non-winners of two, but it is hard to knock his consistency, and he won’t mind the shape of the race.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, trainer Rigoberto Velasquez has a 21 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time.