Balanced Bodgit: Sharp but lacking top fig

Balanced Bodgit, who overcame traffic trouble to win an entry-level allowance last month and remain perfect on the Lone Star turf course, will put that unbeaten record on the line in Thursday's featured $27,000 allowance at one mile. The allowance, restricted to nonwinners of three, attracted a field of six.

Unsuccessful in the early part of his career at Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs, Balanced Bodgit has turned his dormant career around at Lone Star this season. A handy three-length winner of a $30,000 maiden claimer in his meet debut, Balanced Bodgit stepped up to allowance company in his next start and prevailed by a neck after losing some momentum when he was blocked behind horses at the top of the stretch.

Though it's hard to argue with perfection, Balanced Bodgit does have something to prove Thursday, as his Beyer Speed Figures for both wins were much lower than what some of his rivals have earned recently. Corey Lanerie returns to ride Balanced Bodgit for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Thrift Plan could be a major contender, but will have to reverse recent form that has been somewhat uninspiring. The only other entrant with a victory over the local turf course, Thrift Plan does have some excuses for recent lackluster form.

Following a third-place finish at this level on May 10, Thrift Plan met a much tougher group of optional claimers in his next start where he finished sixth. Most recently, over a course labeled good, Thrift Plan broke awkwardly and dueled early on a day when closers did best on the grass.

If allowed to get an uncontested lead, Thrift Plan could prove tough to catch. E. J. Perrodin will ride Thrift Plan for the first time Thursday.

Blazin Sunrise turned in his best performance since last fall when he finished third against two-other-than allowance foes three weeks ago. Blazin Sunrise was only a neck behind the runner-up, Longhorn Blues, that day, and could be ready to peak in his third start back from an extended layoff.

The only 3-year-old in the race, Mav Cat, was second to the eventual Arkansas Derby winner, Sir Cherokee, in an allowance open to older horses at Oaklawn this past spring. Stakes-placed at Remington at 2, Mav Cat has not started since a poor effort in the Southwest Stakes on March. 1. With few turf influences in his pedigree, Mav Cat could be one to focus on if the race were switch to the main track.

Deputy Dude and Engraved complete the field. Post time for the first of nine races is 6:35 p.m.