Sharkzilla no longer under the radar ahead of Coca-Cola

Sharkzilla paid $37 for his one-length win over So Lucky in the $50,000 Auburn on May 14 but undoubtedly will be among the favorites in the $50,000 Coca-Cola at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds drew nine horses, including Strate Remark, who is making his first start since he won the $75,000 Ascot Graduation at Hastings on Oct. 10.

Sharkzilla may have surprised a lot of people with his win in the Auburn, but not his trainer, Candi Tollett.

“We always knew he was a nice horse, and I expected him to run well in the Auburn,” Tollett said.

It was a huge race. Sharkzilla got off to a slow start, and after trailing the field to the half-mile mark, he finished full of run to get up in the last few strides.

“He’s got a nice turn of foot,” said Tollett, who was pleased with his bullet five-furlong move in 59 seconds May 28.

“He really worked a half-mile, but he galloped out so strong, the clockers gave him the five-furlong time,” Tollett said.

With So Lucky not running, the pace won’t be as fast, but there still should be honest-enough fractions to set up Sharkzilla’s good late move. He drew post 7.

After winning his second stakes in the Ascot Graduation, Strate Remark spent the winter at the Eclipse Training Center in Ocala, Fla. Trainer Cindy Krasner is looking at the Coca-Cola as a place for him to catch up to the 3-year-old stakes horses at Hastings.

“He got to Vancouver late, but he got a good foundation in Florida, and he’s been working very well,” she said. “It’s his first start this year, so I’m not sure what to expect. I am pretty thrilled Rocco was available though.”

Krasner was referring to leading rider Rocco Bowen, who likely will put Strate Remark into the race soon after he breaks from post 2.

:: Get PPs for Sunday's card at Emerald Downs

KEY CONTENDERS

Sharkzilla, by Distorted Reality
Last 3 Beyers: 76-63-62

◗ He’s still learning, and the shape of the race should work for him. He gets a pretty stiff penalty for his win in the Auburn though, picking up five pounds to become the 124-pound highweight.

Riser, by Mizzen Mast
Last 3 Beyers: 86-47-57

◗ Running on dirt for the first time, the Blaine Wright-trained Ohio-bred romped in a $25,000 optional-claiming race at Emerald on May 6. The 86 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is easily the best in the field, and his 45.60-second bullet four-furlong work May 28 suggests he could take a big step forward in his second start this year.

◗ The one to catch, he could be gone if he breaks alertly from his outside post.

Aqua Frio, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 66-68-69

◗ Also trained by Wright, he is the top money earner in the field with $98,950 and should move forward after finishing fourth in the Auburn in his first start as a sophomore.