Shared Life, Papa Frank battle again
Shared Life and Papa Frank will meet again in a $15,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs on Saturday. The last time they met, in a similar race June 20, they hooked up at the quarter pole and engaged in a thrilling stretch duel, with Shared Life getting his head in front at the wire.
They look like the main players in the one-mile race that headlines the nine-race card beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific.
Following Shared Life’s taxing win, trainer Michael Puhich gave him a short break; he didn’t race again until Aug. 7, when he finished fourth going 1 1/16 miles in a $25,000 claiming race. With Isaias Enriquez aboard, he dropped back to last before finishing well, but he was left with too much to do.
With a race behind him and the drop back to the level of his latest win, he should make his presence known after breaking from post 7 with Enriquez retaining the mount.
Papa Frank moved up in class for his next start and ran an even race to finish fourth in a $40,000 optional-claiming race July 17. He came back to finish sixth in a one-mile allowance race last Sunday. It will be interesting to see how he handles coming back in just six days.
KEY CONTENDERS
Shared Life, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-77
◗ It probably did him good to take a break after his game win over Papa Frank, and he comes into this following a decent effort against tougher.
◗ He has won half of his 18 starts, and with a 6-1-2 record from 10 starts at a mile, he thrives at the distance.
Papa Frank, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 72-72-79
◗ He has improved since trainer Jeff Metz claimed him for $4,000 on June 11, and he is going to appreciate the easier company after finishing sixth to Grade 3-placed Remembertobreathe last Sunday.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Metz has a 17 percent strike rate with horses coming back in a week or less.
Big Hat Charlie, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 78-76-71
◗ The 4-year-old is trending in the right direction, and there are plenty of route winners in the family, so he should handle a middle distance. His only previous try going around two turns came on grass.
◗ Leading rider Rocco Bowen over the past couple of years at Emerald has won with 25 percent of his mounts from trainer Charlie Essex.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Emerald, Essex has a 22 percent strike rate with horses going from a sprint to a route.