Three bring nearly identical big Beyers into Fremont

It’s a battle of the big Beyer Speed Figures on Saturday night at Delta Downs, where Hip Four Sixtynine, Watch My Smoke, and School Spirit all bring strong last-race numbers into the $70,000 Fremont Stakes.

The one-mile Fremont is for 4-year-olds and up who have never won a stakes race, excluding statebred or restricted stakes. A field of seven has been entered, including Bellarmine, who drops in from Grade 3 company at Golden Gate Fields and adds blinkers for new trainer Tom Amoss.

Fremont Stakes, race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Watch My Smoke (Last 3 Beyers: 99-42-86)

He popped a 99 Beyer in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds in his most recent start Dec. 13. He was beaten a neck by Sunbean, finishing second but placed third. The start was his first since July 2013.

Willie Martinez has the mount for trainer Ron Faucheux.

Hip Four Sixtynine (Last 3 Beyers: 96-80-94)

He earned a 96 Beyer for a third-place finish in an optional $100,000 claimer at Gulfstream Park in his last start Dec. 26.

Don Simington has the mount for trainer Jim Hodges.

School Spirit (Last 3 Beyers: 98-91-91)

He put up a 98 Beyer for an optional $30,000 claiming win at Delta Downs in his most recent start Dec. 13.

School Spirit, who is trained by Keith Bourgeois, is seeking his fourth straight win.