Tig could offer value if he can maintain composure

With no real standout in a $25,000 claimer for non-winnners of two that will serve as the feature race Saturday at Emerald Downs, it might be worth taking a stab with Tig, who may be overlooked in the wagering in the six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up that drew six horses.

The race goes as the sixth on an eight-race card that begins at 2:15 p.m. Pacific.

Tig, trained by Rosie Simkins, ran a huge race coming off a lengthy layoff when he finished second to Harbor Outlaw in an allowance race for nonwinners of two or nonwinners-of-three Washington-breds on June 12. It was his first start since he finished last in the $40,000 Muckleshoot Derby on Sept. 3, 2020.

His second start back July 9 was a bit of a disaster as he broke through the starting gate while being loaded. After being reloaded, he broke okay but started getting out on the turn and was eased by jockey Kevin Radke.

The 65 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his race on June 12 tops anything his rivals have ever posted, and it is encouraging to see that Radke will be aboard when he breaks from the inside post.

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Before making a final decision, it makes a lot of sense to see how the 5-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Lutes Gift behaves in the post parade.

The Howard Belvoir-trained Fire Walker was facing winners for the first time when he finished third in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds on July 3. The Washington-bred gelding by Daredevil dueled through honest interior fractions in his victory in a $25,000 maiden claimer in his previous start.

The drop in class is logical, and he could get a nice trip sitting just off the speed after he breaks from the outside post with Javier Matias retaining the mount.

With plenty of potential speed in the field, it could set up nicely for Executive Action who is trained by Frank Lucarelli. He was up against it in a four-horse field dominated by the lone speed when he finished third in a $20,000 claimer for 3-year-olds on July 9, but he rallied to finish second by a neck going 5 1/2 furlongs at this level June 18 and could get a similar trip in this spot.

He will break from post 3 with Kevin Orozco up.

Rings of Saturn is sitting on a win for trainer Kay Cooper and could get it here if things fall his way. A 4-year-old Washington-bred son of Astrology, Rings of Saturn is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes in $15,000 claiming races for nonwinners of two on June 3 and June 18. The race on June 3 produced a couple of next-out winners, most notably Heredia Boxer who won a first-level allowance race with a 71 Beyer on June 26.

Rings of Saturn had a small excuse in his latest race as he bobbled at the start before settling into a stalking position. Alex Anaya will be aboard when he breaks from post 2.