Stryker Phd in peak form for Mt. Rainier

AUBURN, Wash. – With his easy victory in the Budweiser Handicap in his last start, Stryker Phd completed his transformation from lovable loser to leading contender in the handicap division at Emerald Downs. The late-running 5-year-old is likely to be a heavy favorite Sunday in the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile test for older horses and Emerald’s final proving ground before the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 24.

Stryker Phd became a fan favorite when he finished second in four consecutive stakes races in 2013, always giving the impression that he was just a lucky break away from winning. He had the misfortune to twice catch the brilliantly fast Herbie D, who defeated Stryker Phd in the Mt. Rainier and then swept to victory in the Longacres Mile, with Stryker Phd again running second.

Herbie D is out of commission at his base in Vancouver, British Columbia, while the Emerald-based handicap division is sorely lacking star power beyond Stryker Phd.

Stryker Phd returned from a six-month layoff to take the one-mile Budweiser by 3 1/4 lengths on June 15, seizing command with a bold rally past the quarter pole. His effort was flattered when the runner-up, Mr. Bowling, went to Hastings and won the Lt. Governor’s. Mr. Bowling should pose the greatest threat to Stryker Phd in the Mt. Rainier, with Jebrica, Why Not Be Perfect, and Disruption the other leading contenders.

KEY CONTENDERS

STRYKER PHD (Last 3 Beyers: 97, 85, 68)

◗ After two lackluster starts at Golden Gate Fields over the winter, one on grass, one on the Tapeta synthetic surface, Stryker Phd was transferred to trainer Larry Ross. In his first start for his new connections, Stryker Phd turned in a powerhouse effort in the Budweiser, arguably the best performance of his 14-race career.

◗ Stryker Phd towers over his rivals on the Beyer Speed Figure front. In his past four Emerald starts, he has earned Beyers of 96, 97, 96, and 97.

MR. BOWLING (Last 3 Beyers: 90, 91, 88)

◗ In the two years since Mr. Bowling was placed briefly on the Kentucky Derby trail, he has morphed into an effective middle-distance runner in the Pacific Northwest.

◗ He had the lead between calls in the Budweiser before Stryker Phd roared past, and then overcame a traffic jam on the turn to run down Title Contender in the Lt. Governor’s at Hastings.

DISRUPTION (Last 3 Beyers: 83, 73, 69)

◗ Disruption hinted at his upside with a runner-up finish in the Auburn Handicap in June 2013, but then he was out for more than a year.

◗ Disruption set a stunningly fast pace in his June 14 return, zipping through a half-mile in 43.36 seconds.

◗ He has never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, and trainer Monique Snowden has never saddled a stakes winner at Emerald Downs.

JEBRICA (Last 3 Beyers: 86, 85, 93)

◗ Jebrica boasts three stakes victories, along with Beyers that put him two or three lengths behind Stryker Phd.

◗ Jebrica finished third in the Mt. Rainier a year ago.

◗ He snapped an eight-race losing streak with a victory over $40,000 claimers on June 28.