Wright has opportunity to close gap

With six days left at the meet, the fat lady is warming up her voice but is not quite ready to sing when it comes to the trainers race at Emerald Downs. Jeff Metz has a five-win lead over Blaine Wright, but Wright, who is shooting for his third straight title, has three horses entered Friday compared to one for Metz.

The Wright-trained horses will likely be favored in the last three races, beginning with Hold That Smile in race 5. Hold That Smile is cutting her price in half in a $10,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies. The horse she will have to beat is A Little Romance, trained by Metz, who is coming off a romp in a $7,500 claiming race for nonwinners of two.

According to Daily Racing Form selectors, the Wrighttrained Zoombadaboom is the best bet in the last race on the seven-race card, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific. Wright also has an excellent chance of winning the sixth race with Westley, who will face six rivals going six furlongs in a $15,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up.

A 7-year-old, Westley could be sitting on a big effort in just his third start this year. The sixtime winner didn’t show much in a first-level allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option July 8, but he took a big step forward when he finished third in a $20,000 claimer Aug. 17.

With Julien Couton riding, he got squeezed back to last leaving the starting gate, and then wasn’t able to catch the heavily favored winner Royal Privacy. The runner-up, Cross Creek, returned to win a $20,000 claiming race Aug. 31.

With a better beginning, Westley should get a nice trip stalking what will likely be a fast and contested pace. He will break from post 6 with Couton retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Westley, by Houseofroyalhearts Last 3 Beyers: 70-50-79

◗ He is trending in the right direction, is a four-time winner at the distance, and has the right kind of style for the shape of the race.

Crushin Candy, by Candy Ride Last 3 Beyers: 68-72-0

◗ He’s won nine of his last 13 starts, and though most of his 11 wins have come going a middle distance, he is a capable sprinter.

◗ He lost by a head in a $10,000 claiming race in his last start Aug. 17 and could be dangerous from a stalking position with leading jockey Rocco Bowen riding for trainer Nick Lowe. It will be his first start for Lowe, who claimed him out of his narrow loss.

So Lucky, by Coast Guard Last 3 Beyers: 46-65-72

◗ Trained by Howard Belvoir, he is dropping to a new low.

◗ He drew the outside post, from where he may be able to sit just off Capital Expense.

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