Trackattacker looks unbeatable in WTBOA Lads

AUBURN, Wash. – A “bridge jumper” alert is likely to be in effect Saturday, when Trackattacker, a runaway winner at 1-20 in his last start, shoots for his third successive blowout victory in the $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes at Emerald Downs. The Lads goes as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific. Post time for the Lads is 5:39.

Only four horses were signed on to face Trackattacker in the 6 1/2-furlong test for 2-year-old colts and geldings, and he’ll be a microscopic price yet again.

Trackattacker has started just twice but already owns a track record – he ran 4 1/2 furlongs in 49.98 seconds en route to a nine-length victory in his June 1 debut – and a burgeoning reputation as one of the fastest 2-year-olds the region has seen in years. Roy Schaefer, who purchased Trackattacker as a yearling for $25,000, also owned Grade 2-winning sprinter Atta Boy Roy and said Trackattacker has similar qualities. Trainer Frank Lucarelli, who got Gallant Son to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2008, is similarly bullish about Trackattacker’s potential.

“You have to be excited about him,” Lucarelli said this week. “There’s going to be new competition, and with babies, anything can happen. People say you should win, this and that, but if you won by looking at the Form , you’d never race. He’s got to go out and do his thing. But we’re excited.”

In the Emerald Express, Trackattacker moved easily to the front after settling into stride through the first quarter-mile. He kicked away from there, winning by 11 lengths in a stakes-record 1:08.31 for six furlongs. Lucarelli said he’s confident that Trackattacker can rate behind horses and reel them in, but with no standout speed horse to challenge him in the Lads, he’s liable to make a beeline to the front, with recent maiden winner Moby his closest pursuer.

KEY CONTENDERS

Trackattacker (Last 2 Beyers: 76-74)

◗ Trackattacker covered the first half-mile in his debut in 44.10 seconds and followed up with a 44.12 half-mile in the Emerald Express. While he was geared down late in the Emerald Express, he ran the final eighth in 12.40 seconds.

◗ Eclatante, Trackattacker’s dam, had two career victories and lost her final 16 starts, and Trackattacker’s older full sister, Nancy Wake, has won 2 of 11 starts with a career-best 51 Beyer Speed Figure.

Bolshoi’s Bluff (Last 2 Beyers: 36-39)

◗ While he finished 15 lengths behind Trackattacker in the Emerald Express, Bolshoi’s Bluff was able to get away in good order after breaking slowly in his debut.

◗ By Raise the Bluff, he should appreciate any added ground. If he breaks well, he could get a share of the purse from midrange.

Private Boss (Last 3 Beyers: 39-47-25)

◗ Private Boss looked sharp in his June 8 maiden victory, drawing away to win by 5 3/4 lengths, but was no match for Trackattacker in the Emerald Express, losing by 14 lengths. His jockey, Eliska Kubinova, has never won a stakes race at Emerald Downs, and veteran trainer Roy Lumm has only three Emerald stakes victories, none since 2006.