Added distance should suit Banjammer in Turfway's WEBN

Banjammer missed winning the six-furlong Turfway Prevue by an inch or two, but the colt will have an extra quarter-mile to make up for that tough defeat when he returns Saturday night to Turfway as one of the favorites for the $50,000 WEBN Stakes.

“He galloped out so strong after that race, I think he’ll love going a mile Saturday,” said Eric Reed, who trains the homebred Candy Ride colt for Ken and Resia Ayres. “Obviously, distance is a major question for us, but I think it’ll favor us.”

Banjammer will break from post 2 in an overflow field of 3-year-olds entered in the 29th running of the WEBN, which anchors a 12-race program at the Florence, Ky., track. Ben Creed, leading rider at the winter-spring meet, has the return call. Creed was aboard for the Jan. 8 Turfway Prevue, when Inhisglory narrowly held off a late surge by Banjammer.

Reed, who was in Florida this week overseeing his string at Tampa Bay Downs but planned to return Friday, also will saddle Drifting Wind (post 6) in the WEBN. Drifting Wind, winner of his lone career start, will race as a separate wagering interest.

ESTIMATED POST TIME: 9:51 p.m. View Entries >>

“He’s got a lot of talent, but I’m concerned about his lack of experience,” Reed said.

Twinspired, shipping in from Gulfstream Park for Mike Maker, drew post 12 as a likely challenger for favoritism with Banjammer.

The WEBN, sponsored by Cincinnati rock station 102.7-FM, is a local prep for the annual Turfway showcase race, which has been renamed the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes for this year. The 40th running of that Grade 3, $500,000 race is set for March 26, with one more prep, the March 5 John Battaglia Memorial, scheduled in the interim

This is the first Saturday night card at Turfway in many years. Except for March 26, the track will continue to run night programs on Saturdays through the end of the meet, April 3. The track is reopening the fifth-floor dining room in anticipation of larger ontrack crowds. First post is 5:30 p.m. Eastern, with the WEBN, the 10th race, going at 9:51.

◗ First post Sunday is noon Eastern to allow fans to get where they’re going for the Super Bowl.