Second leg of distance series draws same eight horses

The second leg of the Equal Pay Distance Series headlines the seven-race card at Emerald Downs on Friday. Post time for the first race is 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

To be eligible for the final leg, horses must run in the first two races in the series. The final race in the series on Sept. 20 is at 1 1/2 miles.

The same eight fillies and mares that ran in the first leg are back for more in the 1 1/4-mile $8,000 claiming race Friday. Four were claimed out of the race, most notably Choteau.

Racing for trainer Kenneth Stubblefield, Choteau broke a step slowly before rallying from well back to lose by a head to Peach of a Pie in the 1 1/8-mile race. Acting on behalf of Saratoga West, trainer Jeff Metz claimed the 5-year-old mare, who has won four sprints and just one route in her 42-race career.

The way she finished in the first leg suggests she will be able to handle the added eighth of a mile. Kevin Krigger retains the mount.

Metz also claimed Staracrossthewater for Horseplayers Racing Club #364.

The 5-year-old daughter of Salt Water faded after dueling with Indian Power through rapid fractions.

KEY CONTENDERS

Choteau, by Silver Poet

Last 3 Beyers: 45-41-53

◗ Once again, she should have an honest pace to work with and she could get up in time with the right kind of trip.

◗ DRF FORMULATOR FACT: The last five years at Emerald, Metz has a 20-percent strike rate and $1.48 ROI with claimed horses running back the first time.

Peach of a Pie, by New Year’s Day

Last 3 Beyers: 45-46-42

◗ The lightly raced 3-year-old improved when she stretched out to a middle distance two back and could have more upside than her older rivals.

◗ Trained by Chris Stenslie and ridden by Kevin Orozco, she took advantage of the fast and contested pace in the first leg. Easy to imagine a similar scenario unfolding with the same horses running here.

Constant Craving, by Drosselmeyer

Last 3 Beyers: 43-33-39

◗ Third in the first leg, she was sitting in the catbird seat but may have been a bit close to the fast pace before she moved too early

◗ The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred goes from one good trainer to another, with Joe Toye claiming her away from Frank Lucarelli.

◗ She could be dangerous with a well-timed move from a stalking position.

Tomorrow’s Mine, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 41-47-34

◗ Toye also claimed Tomorrow’s Mine, who figures to stalk with leading rider Gary Wales aboard.

◗ Racing for trainer Pablo De Jesus, the 4-year-old Washington-bred daughter of Harbor the Gold was right there at the eighth pole, but couldn’t squeeze through a small opening and had to steady.

◗ They will all be going 1 1/4 miles for the first time and it is hard to say which ones will be able to handle the demanding distance.