Top Harbor the one to beat in Harris Farms

The Northern California sprinter Top Harbor has started only five times this year. The races are usually worth the wait.

Top Harbor has won two stakes and finished second in two others. Add an allowance race win and it’s easy to see why the 5-year-old horse will be favored to win Saturday’s $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes for statebreds at six furlongs at The Big Fresno Fair.

“It’s hard to get a race for him,” trainer Tim McCanna said on Wednesday. “He’s a good horse and he stays sharp.”

The Harris Farms Stakes drew a field of five. Top Harbor has drawn a favorable post on the outside of the small field, and should have a pace to follow from the former claimer Evenerevenworse, and the streaking 3-year-old Clovisconnection, who has won his last three starts, all in stakes.

:: Bet with the Best! Get Free DRF PPs and Cashback when you wager. Join DRF Bets.

Larry’s Legend and Lmlooknformischief are the other two starters, both outsiders.

Top Harbor has not raced since a two-length win in the Oak Tree Sprint at six furlongs at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton on July 1. Top Harbor closed from seventh with a wide rally to reach the front in the final furlong.

Top Harbor has won 8 of 18 starts in his career for owners and breeders Eric Schweiger, Gordon Jarnig, and Kenny Marshall.

Evenerevenworse, winless in three starts since the Albany Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Golden Gate Fields in June, is the quickest runner in the race, but will face a stamina test at six furlongs. Evenerevenworse was a clear second in the Oak Tree Sprint after setting the pace.

Clovisconnection will start against older horses for the first time. A winner of 6 of 9 starts, Clovisconnection is quick enough to lead, but has been effective from slightly off the pace. He won the Irish Day Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Emerald Downs in July in that manner.

“I certainly don’t want to be ding-donging with that horse on the front end,” trainer Blaine Wright said of Evenerevenworse.

Clovisconnection won the Robert Dupret Derby at 1 1/16 miles at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Aug. 12 when allowed to set his own pace.

“I don’t think he has to have the lead at the first call,” Wright said. “He’s got some staying power.”

Clovisconnection will need a sustained run through the stretch to beat Top Harbor.

“You’ve got to beat him to win the race,” Wright said.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.