Summersimage gets his chance

Trainer Ricardo Perez would be wise to remember that old warning: Be careful what you wish for.

After sweating out whether his talented 3-year-old Summersimage would make the field for Saturday’s $100,000 Harris Farms Stakes at the Big Fresno Fair, Perez will send him out against nine rivals – including defending champion Jimmy Bouncer – in the toughest race of his career.

Summersimage has made only five starts and has won three straight, including his stakes debut in the Robert Dupret Derby at 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Santa Rosa in his last start. In his only other start this year, he won a six-furlong allowance sprint at Pleasanton in July by six lengths.

Summersimage has earned only $80,035 in a field in which all the other runners have six-digit bankrolls. With preference in the race given to horses with the most earnings in 2016 and 2017, Summersimage likely would have been relegated to the alsoeligible list had one more horse been entered.

This is Summersimage’s first start in two months. Perez said he needed the time because he got bumped at the start of the Robert Dupret Derby and grabbed a quarter. Despite the injury, Summersimage went wire to wire and held on by a halflength.

“It looked like he never had a chance turning for home, but he just kept digging in and won,” Perez said.

“I never say anything before a race, but this horse always tries hard. He’s a real aggressive horse, and I think he’s better sprinting, even though he showed ability to run long last time.”

Perez lost regular jockey Catalino Martinez for the Harris Farms. Martinez opted to ride Algenon, winner of two of his last three starts. Summersimage picks up Abel Cedillo, who won the race aboard Jimmy Bouncer last year.

Adding to the depth of the field are another stakes-winning 3-year-old, Mr. Hinx, and graded sprint stakes winner Solid Wager.

HARRIS FARMS STAKES KEY CONTENDERS

Summersimage, by Slew’s Tiznow Last 3 Beyers: 86-90-69

◗ Wound up preparations with a bullet six-furlong work in 1:13.80 last Saturday.

◗ He beat older horses in his sprint win in July.

◗ Facing more accomplished rivals, he figures to offer good value.

Mr. Hinx, by Minister’s Wild Cat Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-81

◗ He is making his third start following a seven-week layoff over the summer.

◗ Has enough speed to get position from the rail.

◗ He finished fourth in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar in his lone start versus older.

Solid Wager, by Birdonthewire Last 3 Beyers: 89-88-90

◗ His last four starts have come in graded stakes.

◗ There should be enough pace to help his late-running style, and he brings some of the highest Beyers to the field.