Prisoner boasts top figure

Prisoner is the horse to beat at Emerald Downs in Sunday’s featured eighth race for $25,000 claimers over 5 1/2 furlongs. The 6-year-old son of Violence recently raised his career record to 10 wins from 20 lifetime starts with a victory over allowance company going 6 1/2 furlongs at Turf Paradise.

A Justin Evans trainee, Prisoner drew the outside post in the field of eight and boasts the highest last-out Beyer Speed Figure of the group at 78.

“We’ve been really happy with Prisoner,” said Evans. “The 870-yard race was really a head-scratcher. He didn’t get away great and just never fired.”

Evans was referencing a race open to Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds at Turf Paradise on March 19. Seven runners went to the post and just after the bell sounded, the four outside runners, including Prisoner, exchanged bumps while the trio inside of them were distinctly in front shortly after the start.

The horses that escaped the minimal early bumping ended up first, third, and fourth while Prisoner had no additional excuses for his ordinary finish as the betting favorite.

Prisoner is a half-brother to former Emerald Downs win machine Wine At Nine, who remains third on the all-time list for most wins at the Auburn track with 19. That puts him behind only Mike Man’s Gold (26) and West Seattle Boy (21).

Among the opposition on Sunday is Dirt Road Red, a Candice Cryderman trainee who won five straight at the 2023 Emerald meet. That son of Clubhouse Ride has been working forwardly toward his first start since Sept. 17.

Recent Turf Paradise allowance winner Welton is a lightly raced 4-year-old who looked sharp when dueling early before drawing away to win by 3 3/4 lengths over 5 1/2 furlongs on April 15. Welton is trained by Jorge Rosales, who took over training duties prior to the colt’s last start, which was his initial try on dirt.

Five-year-old Itsallabouttheride continues to seek his ideal level after struggling against stakes company in 2023. On Sunday he will renew a mini-rivalry with Executive Chef, with whom he traded stakes decisions when both were 3-year-olds in 2022. Itsallabouttheride is trained by Bonnie Jenne while Executive Chef will be saddled by Blaine Wright.

Speed is expected to be plentiful in the Sunday main event and Prisoner should be able to track from the outside and pounce whenever rider Luis Reyes asks the gelding.

In the event of an epic pace meltdown, expect Muncey to come running in the stretch. The win-shy runner has been a steady force at Emerald Downs over the previous five seasons for trainer Howard Belvoir and may be at his best racing well behind a hot early tempo.

Sunday’s forecast calls for mild weather. The nine-race card will commence at 1:30 p.m. Pacific.