Absent Peery returns with Con Quixote

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Bay Meadows closes its spring meet with a 10-race card on Sunday that features the return of stakes winner Con Quixote and his trainer, Chuck Peery.

, who has not run since a fifth-place finish at Pleasanton last July 3, drew post 7 in a field of eight older sprinters going five furlongs over the turf in a $50,000 optional claimer.

"He's a nice old horse," said Peery, who claimed him for $50,000 in April 2004.

Con Quixote will be the second horse Peery starts this year. First-timer Uncle Elwin is slated to run for him in Sunday's third race. He has also entered Somethinaboutlaura later on Sunday's card.

An 18 percent winner over his career, Peery took time off soon after the Golden Gate Fields meet opened in November, to spend time with his family. "We're back fresh," he said.

And so, apparently, is Con Quixote. He has a steady series of drills, highlighted by a three-furlong 36-second bullet drill on May 3.

"He's come back ready. He's set for five furlongs," Peery said. "I thought this was a nice spot to get for his first start back. He's had success going short on the turf."

In what may have been his best race for Peery last year, Con Quixote stumbled leaving the gate but launched a strong rally, losing to a then-red-hot Souvenir's Lad by a head in a race at Sunday's distance.

Peery, who named Russell Baze to ride, likes the way Con Quixote is training and expects him to run well. "I hope Russell breaks and can just sit there and fire late," Peery said.

The field Sunday includes four last-race winners, Record Smashed, Kool Suggestion, Prime Time Event, and Thirsty Guy's, who has won two straight.

Siren Lure, who won going down the hill at Santa Anita when claimed for $62,500 two starts back, appears to be the one to catch. Reel 'Em In, whose nine career victories have all come on the turf, including three here, looks like a threat from off the pace while making his third start after a nine-month layoff.

Kool Suggestion set the pace routing in his turf debut and will appreciate the cutback in distance. He brings in the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, stalking and pulling away late from Rae's Totts in a six-furlong main-track sprint at this level.

All three of Prime Time Event's wins have come on turf, including a $12,500 claimer here in his last start.