Thorn Legacy tough to beat if he fires best shot

Take your pick in a wide-open $15,000 claiming race for nonwinners of three that will serve as Saturday’s feature race at Emerald Downs. Thorn Legacy could end up favored in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. However, cases can be made for or against just about any of the seven horses entered.

If Thorn Legacy, trained by Roy Lumm, runs as well as he did going the same distance in a $15,000 conditional claimer July 30, he’s probably the winner. With apprentice rider David Martin aboard, he rallied to finish second behind Hoody, a six-time winner with $72,488 in earnings, more than double any of the horses he will be facing have earned.

He regressed in his latest start, a sprint, though, and he’s never won going around two turns.

The 4-year-old California-bred will break from the outside post with Martin again riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Thorn Legacy, by Thorn Song

Last 3 Beyers: 70-76-69

◗ His only wins have come sprinting, but the 76 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his runner-up finish going this far two back stands out. Plus, in five starts at the distance, the only time he was worse than third was the first time he tried two turns in a $5,000 maiden claimer at Golden Gate Fields in March.

Cross Creek, by Parker’s Storm

Last 3 Beyers: 68-67-66

◗ The last time he ran for trainer Doris Harwood, he romped going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $15,000 claimer for nonwinners of two on June 18. He was claimed out of the race, and Harwood took him back for the same price in his last start, a third-place finish going a mile in a $15,000 conditional claiming race Aug. 18.

◗ Harwood rarely claims horses – just 13 in the past five years – and this is her first claim this year.

DRF Formulator Fact: Harwood has a 23 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time during the past five years.

Sneaky Meek, by Shakespeare

Last 3 Beyers: 63-27-62

◗ He is coming off a runner-up finish in the $30,000 Colorado Derby on July 16 at Arapahoe Park, and the winner, Yo Y Me, is a decent horse who won four straight stakes races at Turf Paradise.

◗ Trained by Jonathan Nance, Sneaky Meek got shuffled back on the first turn of the Colorado Derby and may have won the race with a clean trip.

◗ The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred drew the rail and could get a cozy trip with Nathan Haar retaining the mount.

Warspite, by Girolamo

Last 3 Beyers: 55-68-53

◗ He could be the one they have to run down with leading rider Rocco Bowen riding, and his new trainer, Manuel Ortiz, won with three of the last six claimed horses he brought back the first time.