Blue Sky Kowboy likely to get good setup in turf route

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Blue Sky Kowboy smoked his final quarter-mile in race 6 on July 20 at Arlington in 22.53 seconds – and lost.

As has been the case in many of his starts, the deep-closing 4-year-old grass horse was trying to run down horses who also were sprinting home after a slow pace. In his last two starts, Blue Sky Kowboy has been forced to rally behind opening quarter-miles slower than 26 seconds and half-mile splits of 51.24 and 52.78.

Finally, in Friday’s featured fifth race, a second-level allowance with a $50,000 claiming option carded for 1 1/16 miles on turf, Blue Sky Kowboy has found a race with some pace. Now, he just needs the weather to cooperate. Since more than two inches of rain fell her late Tuesday afternoon, it wouldn’t take much more than a shower to move Friday’s grass races to the main track.

If that happens, you might find Blue Sky Kowboy back in trainer Michele Boyce’s barn. If the race remains on grass, look for him in the winner’s circle.