Avenue of Silver on familiar path

Take your pick between Avenue of Silver, who is doubling her price following an easy win last Sunday, or Ibegyerpardon, dropping from a third-place finish for $17,500 a week ago. They look like the main players in a $10,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at 3 1/2 furlongs, the feature race at Northlands on Saturday.

Avenue of Silver, trained by leading trainer Robertino Diodoro, figures to be favored despite the big jump in price. She has won all five of her races at 3 1/2 furlongs. After a two-length win in a $5,000 claimer in her 2009 debut, she moved up in class to win a $10,000 claiming race at the same distance a week later. She will try to repeat that pattern Saturday after winning a $5,000 claimer by 2 1/2 lengths Sunday in her season debut. Anthony Salgado retains the mount.

Trained by Douglas Smith, Ibegyerpardon has tried 3 1/2 furlongs only twice. Last year she began her season with a 5 3/4-length romp over I Lost My Halo in a $15,000 claiming race May 3. Last week, she was involved in a duel with Excessive B and B from the start and couldn't hold off the late move of You and Me Baby.

Lookonthebriteside should be considered in the exotics. In 10 starts in 2009, she compiled a 1-6-1 record. In her lone start going 3 1/2 furlongs she finished second in Avenue of Silver's win for this price last year.