Winter Falcon switching to dirt for first local start

California shipper Winter Falcon heads a competitive field of 10 entered in Friday’s $10,000 claiming feature at Emerald Downs.

Winter Falcon is a Blaine Wright trainee by Mizzen Mast who hasn’t raced since April 13 when he was fifth, beaten 6 1/2 lengths, in a starter-allowance event at Golden Gate Fields. The 5-year-old has raced only four times on dirt but did manage a win and a second at Pleasanton.

After a brief freshening, Winter Falcon has been working steadily in recent weeks. He will have the riding services of Kevin Orozco on Friday.

There are many contenders in the six-furlong race, including Party Foul, a Jill Soranno trainee who got really sharp a year ago and reeled off three consecutive wins at Emerald.

“So far his training this spring has been going smoothly,” Soranno said. “The farm he wintered at took excellent care of him, and I think that has a lot to do with him coming back well.”

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Party Foul prepped on June 1 when he shared pacesetting chores while finishing third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

“I think the race not only improved his fitness but helped him gain more confidence,” Soranno said.

Trainer Charles Essex entered both Foreign Protocol and Roll Dem Bones, a runner who has raced twice at the $10,000 claiming level this season, netting a second in his last start June 2. Foreign Protocol, who will be making his first start since November, spent last summer at Hastings, where he faced better company without winning.

Prime Example is a Joe Toye trainee who won twice at Emerald in 2023 and whose only start since September came April 9 at Turf Paradise. In that race, the son of Midshipman maintained a clear lead for most of the way before being caught late and finishing second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.

“He has been training well,” Toye said. “I’m going to leave it up to the rider as to how he will run in the race, either on or off the pace.”

Ten-year-old Mirror Image drew the rail. He will be looking to win at Emerald for the fifth consecutive summer. The Valentin Garcia trainee will be piloted by Silvio Amador.

Others in the field include Smoken Shadow, trained by Debbie Peery; Bedrock, trained by Billy Christian; Olympic Legend, trained by Carl Seymour; and Taino House, recently claimed by Sergio Perez.

The Friday card begins at 7 p.m. Pacific with warm weather expected on the first full day of summer.

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