Bears Home Run goes for two in a row at Northlands

Bears Home Run will try to make it two wins in a row for owner-trainer Dale Greenwood at Northlands Park on Wednesday. The $30,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up will serve as the co-feature with the $20,960 Black Gold Classic for Quarter Horses.

Bears Home Run is coming off of a win over two of the four horses he will face in the one-mile third race, which carries a $19,500 purse. With Stephan Heiler aboard, Bears Home Run came from slightly off the pace to wear down pacesetter Thiscatsgotcharm by a half-length in a $22,000 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles July 23. Toby Bay rallied to finish third, a neck behind Thiscatsgotcharm.

It was the first win for Bears Home Run since he won a $40,000 optional claimer at Northlands on Sept. 21, 2008. Following that win, Greenwood shipped him to Hastings to run in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby, where he finished seventh. Bears Home Run’s next four races were at Hastings, where Greenwood had shifted his base of operations last year, and he failed to hit the board in any of his races.

In all four of his wins Bears Home Run has come from a stalking position. He should have an honest pace to work with Wednesday, and both times he has gone a mile, he’s won.

Alarico should keep Thiscatsgotcharm honest. In his last start for trainer Ron Grieves, Alarico scored a front-running win over My Choice in a one-mile $17,500 claiming race July 31.

Debie Gingsburg will be facing males, following her win in a $30,000 claiming sprint July 24.

◗ Fly Misty Fly has been installed as the 3-2 favorite in the Black Gold Classic, a 770-yard dash that drew eight horses and goes as race 11.