Prime Example drops in class

Prime Example will attempt to rebound after a poor Emerald Downs debut while cutting back in class and distance in Saturday’s $15,000 claiming feature at 5 1/2 furlongs for nonwinners of two races.

Justin Evans trainee Prime Example won a maiden-claiming race on April 12 at Turf Paradise in romping fashion before moving to Emerald Downs and trying allowance foes on May 27. He and his chief pace rival in the allowance both faded in the stretch to finish eighth and seventh, respectively.

The result brought a quick tumble in class for Prime Example in Saturday’s Emerald Downs headliner. The shorter distance of 5 1/2 furlongs surely won’t harm his chances to get back on the winning track.

Another in the lineup is Summanus. Trainer Kay Cooper said she claimed Summanus for $15,000 last August because she “liked his form as he had conditions that [he] could still run in.”

“He has been training well this spring,” Cooper added. “Actually, he enjoys going to the track.”

The dam of Summanus was a Chilean mare named Dream’s, who won her first four North American starts and did all of her racing on grass.

Summanus prepped three weeks ago in a similar contest over six furlongs but likely had to spend too much energy keeping tabs on what became a romping speed horse in American Grit. Summanus tired from his early efforts and finished fourth, 8 1/4 lengths back, in his first start since early September.

Saturday’s contest will feature at least two other possible pacesetters, and that may afford Summanus the chance to relax in a stalker’s role as has been his custom.

Others in the six-horse field include Mischievousholiday, trained by Sergio Alvarez; Agrigento, trained by Jose Raudales; Predication, trained by Howard Gibson; and I Am Yours, trained by Sam Dronen.

I Am Yours is a 4-yearold filly facing males while making her first start in 10 months. She is by Quality Road and was a winner when debuting at Fresno in October 2021.

I Am Yours sold for $100,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2020 but has changed hands again since that time.

Predication was a winner last time out when able to race without a claiming tag in a race for $8,000 maiden claimers on May 20 at Emerald. He is from humble beginnings as he sold at auction for just $1,500 as a 2-year-old and then debuted last summer with a $5,000 claiming tag.

The son of Abraaj had been working up a storm earlier in the spring and retains a great deal of improvement potential when still looking ahead to just his fourth career start.

Saturday’s weather is expected to be sunny with high temperatures of about 70 degrees.