Beyond Brilliant class of Swift field

PHOENIX - The one time Beyond Brilliant raced at Turf Paradise he won. Trainer Greg Gilchrist is hoping for a repeat when he ships his northern California-based sprinter back in for Saturday's $35,000 Swift Stakes. The 5 1/2-furlong stakes brings out many of the best sprinters in the region.

Beyond Brilliant carries high weight of 124 pounds and he has a lofty reputation off eight wins, $355,000 in the bank, and numerous fine stakes showings. But he's got his work cut out for him in the Swift. Among his opponents in the field of 10 4-year-olds and up are last year's winner, the 13-time winner Hangonslewpyhangon; top local sprinter No Cal Bread, who has won three of his last four; multiple stakes-winning sprinter Expert; and classy locals Irish Cream Taffy, Flying Supercon, and Classy Sheikh.

If Beyond Brilliant shows up with his "A" game, he's going to be difficult to handle. Owned by Harry Aleo, Beyond Brilliant has won 8 of 20 in his career, and the only time he shipped to Turf Paradise he won the Caballos del Sol Handicap last October. In his last start Dec. 7, he finished fifth to Golden Gate hotshots El Dorado Shooter and Halo Cat. They came right back to run second and first in another Golden Gate sprint stakes last week.

Beyond Brilliant has been freshened since his last race and has two bullets among his many subsequent works. David Lopez comes in for the ride at 124 pounds.

Hangonslewpyhangon is something of a local legend. A 7-year-old, he has won nine races at Turf Paradise, including the Swift last year. But after that win he didn't race again until October, and in five races since the layoff he hasn't looked like the same horse.

No Cal Bread is in sharp form. He chased Beyond Brilliant in last October's Caballos del Sol, then easily won an optional claimer and a classified allowance race. After that he finished fourth at 9-5 in the Honor the Hero, but bounced back and won the Jim Powell from the rail here Jan. 5.

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