Alywyn out to stay hot

Northlands Park heads into its final week of racing for 2009 with eight races on Wednesday night. The second race, a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies looks like the most intriguing race on the card. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint features a matchup between Alywyn and Viva Slew.

Viva Slew appears to have a class edge, but Alywyn is going for her fourth win in a row and could be dangerous breaking from the rail.

Alywyn, trained by Jim Meyaard, has easily won her last three races, and in her last two she was sent off as the odds-on favorite. There isn't much doubt she will be a short price again on Wednesday. In her last start, on Sept. 19, Alywyn came from slightly off the pace to beat Hardcore Candy by 3 1/2 lengths in a $25,000 claiming race going six furlongs. She has good tactical speed and should be able to stalk what should be an honest pace. Leading rider Ricky Walcott retains the mount.

Viva Slew will be running in a straight claiming race for the first time in her career, and is clearly the main threat to Alywyn. Trained by Monica Russell, Viva Slew is coming off of a second-place finish behind multiple stakes winner Dandy Dora in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race on Sept. 6. In her previous start she scored an easy front-running win in a third-level allowance race on Aug. 14. Real Simard picks up the mount from Jake Barton, who has moved his tack to Turf Paradise.

Harmonious Union, trained by Riley Rycroft, is dropping in class following a fourth-place finish behind Curls and Pearls, also entered here, in a $32,000 optional race on Aug. 16.