Bern' James Bern back for new connections

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Robert Falcone Jr. claimed the old pro Bern’ James Bern for $35,000 out of a win here on Dec. 30 and wasted little time wheeling him right back in the same spot, for the same price tag, in Wednesday’s $51,000 optional-claiming feature.

The 8-year-old Bern’ James Bern rallied from just off the pace to a half-length decision going 1 3/16 miles in his 2018 finale, notching his ninth win in 49 career starts. He’ll shorten up to 1 1/8 miles in Wednesday’s headliner.

“He had run several pretty good races and had some back class, which is why we reached in and took him for the $35,000,” said Falcone, who claimed Bern’ James Bern for Drawing Away Stable. “He came out of the race good, and we’re just looking for another win. Typically, I’m not one to run horses over their heads, which is why we’ve put him right back in the same race for the $35,000 once again.”

Falcone is hoping Bern’ James Bern can work out a similar trip as in his last start. He will have to do so with a new rider, as Jose Ortiz, who guided him to victory here last month, has taken the call on Year of the Kitten for trainer Mike Maker.

“We tried to get Jose back,” said Falcone. “He had to ride Mike’s horse back, which I understand, but we got a pretty good replacement in Luis Saez. I’m just hoping he can just break well, stay out of traffic and have the same kick at the end that he had last time.”

Year of the Kitten is one of several other key contenders in the 11-horse field. He drops in company off a sixth-place finish under Ortiz in a $50,000 starter allowance test going a mile on Jan. 2.

Illudere was a wide-running third, beaten less than a length by Bern’ James Bern as the even-money favorite three weeks ago. The outing was just the second on turf for the son of Ghostzapper, who was beaten a nose by Flyoff following an extended stretch duel under entry-level allowance conditions six weeks earlier at Aqueduct.

Golden Spear figures to take plenty of play, having been transferred to trainer Jorge Navarro’s barn since finishing a tiring third in his Woodbine finale on Dec. 2. The presence of Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle also figures to entice plenty of action on the 7-year-old, who was struggling to get through his non-winners-of-three claiming condition when last seen locally during the winter of 2017.

Barney Rebel is the only member of the field with more wins, 10, than Bern’ James Bern. He finished fifth against softer company earlier in the meet.