Presque Isle Downs: Ravalo should have pace help in Boyes Memorial

Dustin Orona Photography

Ravalo will make his first start since January in Wednesday's $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial at Presque Isle Downs.

Ravalo returns to action Wednesday evening when taking on a field of older sprinters in the $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial at Presque Isle Downs.

The venerable Don Barr trainee has not raced since January, when he finished last in an overnight stakes at Aqueduct. Prior to that race, he won the $200,000 Six Bits Handicap at Penn National, a race that took a lot out of him, according to Barr.

“It was what I call a gut-wrencher, it took a lot out of him, out of all of us. “ Barr said.

The long lay off between January and now was due to a set of small physical problems, Barr said.

“He hasn’t been out in a while,” he said. “It was a series of small things that set him back, but we have them all resolved now.”

There is an abundance of speed in the nine-horse field that will be traveling 5 1/2 furlongs, a scenario that sets up well for the late-running Ravalo, an 8-year-old gelding.

“As he has gotten older, he has become more versatile,” Barr said. “He can come from off the pace, which should work well in this spot.”
The speed-laden field is no surprise to Barr.

“Anytime you give $100,000 away to go five and a half furlongs, you are going to have a bunch of early speed in there,” he said.

Barr plans to ship Ravalo to Presque Isle on Tuesday from Laurel and is not sure what he will do next with his millionaire charge.

“At his age and place in his career, you take it one race at a time,” he said. “If everything goes perfectly, I would like to repeat some of his races from last year. He travels very well.”

Jeffery Sanchez will ride.

Stormy Going was very impressive winning the prep for this event May 30, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 97. The Jim Dodgen trainee led every step of the way in the 5 1/2-furlong event to win by three lengths. It was the second start of the year for the 4-year-old gelding who is a perfect 2 for 2 over synthetic surfaces. Andrew Ramgeet retains the mount.

Dazzled Saint set the pace in his first start of the year before tiring to finish second, and some improvement can be expected. The John Bourke trainee had a bullet work locally Saturday and looks primed for a good effort. Dale Beckner retains the mount.