Tam Tricky, Lutes Lil Gift rematched in sprint

Tam Tricky finished behind Lutes Lil Gift in a $15,000 claimer for fillies and mares non-winners of two at Emerald Downs on July 29. But in the rematch on Saturday at Emerald, Tam Tricky’s advantageous post position may give her the edge over Lutes Lil Gift.

Lutes Lil Gift will need a clean trip from the rail, while leading rider Alex Cruz will have options when Tam Tricky leaves from the outside post. The six-furlong sprint with conditions similar to the July 29 race drew eight horses and headlines an eight-race card that begins at 2:15 p.m. Pacific.

Tam Tricky will be making her first start for trainer Jeff Metz, who was acting on behalf of the Horseplayers Racing Club and Rakoczy Racing when he claimed her from trainer Blaine Wright out of her third-place finish July 29.

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The 3-year-old California-bred daughter of Tamarando has been a gem of consistency, with a 1-2-4 record from seven starts. She forced the pace in her latest race but came from a stalking position when she finished third in a key $25,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies two back on July 1.

With speed drawn inside, Cruz will likely put Tam Tricky into a stalking position and hope she can find the killer instinct she has been lacking since she won a $25,000 maiden claimer in her first try on dirt May 22 at Emerald. She ran on Tapeta in her four previous races, all at Golden Gate Fields.

Lutes Lil Gift, trained by Rosie Simpkins, has not finished worse than third in her three starts this year, all at Emerald. She lost her latest by a head to Feather Inthe Wind, who with Cruz riding took them all the way and paid $81.40.

With Kevin Radke aboard, Lutes Lil Gift broke maybe a half-step slowly from the rail and was under a stranglehold while being stuck behind Feather Inthe Wind and Tam Tricky. It appeared Radke wanted to angle her off the rail turning for home, but Kevin Orozco aboard Tam Tricky would not allow it. Lutes Lil Gift ended up making a strong late move from the inside that came up just short.

It was another solid effort for Lutes Lil Gift, and she is clearly sitting on a big effort here.

The Kay Cooper-trained N P Forty finished fourth in the same race but has a right to improve. She was making just her second start and first at Emerald.

◗ Slew’s Tiz Whiz received a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in the $150,000 Longacres Mile on Sunday. He was not the only one that peaked at the right time Sunday, as the winners of the three supporting stakes each posted a new high.

You’re the Cause earned a 63 for his shocking win in the $75,000 Muckleshoot Derby; Tiz a Macho Girl got a 75 for her romp in the $75,000 Washington Oaks, and Zippin Sevens also was given a 75 for taking them all the way in the Emerald Distaff.