Trick or Retreat could get good setup in claimer

With a $47,634 carryover in the pick seven at Emerald Downs, handicappers will be looking for at least one single when they make up their tickets Friday night. They won’t find one in the featured sixth race, where a minimum of three horses are needed.

That would change if either Mike Man’s Gold or Golden Moon scratched out of the $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up though. They both have speed, and if one came out, the other would be tough to beat. With both in, it could set up nicely for Trick or Retreat, who will be rolling late in the 6 1/2-furlong dash that drew six horses.

Trained by Doris Harwood, Trick or Retreat is coming off a third-place finish at the same level and distance May 28, and he may have won the race with a better start. After breaking slowly, he moved into contention on the stretch turn, where he made a strong move from along the rail but couldn’t get past Grand Palais, who set the pace. They were both passed by Its Allabout Jerry, who came from out of the clouds to get up in the last jump.

If Mike Man’s Gold and Golden Moon knock each other out, Trick or Retreat has the best chance of picking up the pieces. He will break from post 6, with Javier Matias retaining the mount.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Trick or Retreat, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 77-40-80

◗ He seems to be rounding into form, and if they all go, the shape of the race should work for him. He should also get a clean trip from the outside post, and he has an excellent record at the distance.

Golden Moon, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 65-80-84

◗ The 6-year-old Kentucky-bred will be making his first start at Emerald for trainer Mike Puhich, who over the past five years has a 30 percent strike rate with new shooters.

◗ In his last start, Golden Moon set an honest pace before tiring to finish sixth going seven furlongs in a $20,000 starter race at Churchill Downs on May 18. An eight-time winner, he’s won at six tracks, so there is no reason to think he won’t be comfortable on this surface. His two wins this year came at Churchill Downs on April 6 and Oaklawn Park on Jan. 29.

Mike Man’s Gold, by Liberty Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 89-61-68

◗ Trained by Joe Toye, he easily won a $10,000 claiming race My 21, and the 89 Beyer Speed Figure he received is easily the best last-race figure in this field. He is more than doubling his claiming price, but four of his 13 wins came in stakes, so he has plenty of back class to call upon.

◗ Adding to his cause is the presence of leading rider Rocco Bowen, who will be asking him to use his substantial speed from the inside post.