Bobby Handy gets class relief in Wednesday claimer

Bobby Handy was on a three-race winning streak at Northlands Park before he tried the top older horses on the grounds in the $51,000 Westerner on Aug. 16. He has a good chance of starting another streak when he runs in a $17,500 claiming race that headlines a nine-race card at Northlands on Wednesday. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses and goes as the eighth race.

Trained by Rod Cone, Bobby Handy will be shooting for the 20th win of his career, and if he regains the form he had prior to finishing last in the Westerner, he should get it. In his previous race, a $17,500 claiming race going a mile, he stalked a slow pace before drawing off to win by 6 1/4 lengths with Quincy Welch aboard Aug. 4.

In his two previous wins, Bobby Handy came from farther back in races in which they were going a lot faster up front. Welch retains the mount, and with an honest pace expected, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him let Bobby Handy settle early before turning him loose late.

KEY CONTENDERS

BOBBY HANDY (Last 3 Beyers: 61-77-73)

◗ The 7-year-old British Columbia-bred gelding will appreciate the class relief after going unplaced in the Westerner. Toss his race in the Westerner and the $35,000 Hula Vista going 1 7/8 miles on turf at Turf Paradise in May, and he hasn’t run a bad race in 2014.

CREW LEADER (Last 3 Beyers: 57-64-63)

◗ Trained by Rick Wise, this is the softest spot he’s been in since he romped by seven lengths and earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure in the Portland Meadows Mile just over a year ago.

◗ Based at Hastings for most of his 34-race career, the Grade 3-placed 7-year-old could take a big step forward in his second start at Northlands.

DAKOTA DUSTY (Last 3 Beyers: 71-74-72)

◗ Also trained by Wise, he is coming off back-to-back wins going a mile at this level, and in both races, he was involved right from the start.

◗ He could be dangerous if he breaks on top with leading rider Rico Walcott riding.

ONE THE KEY (Last 3 Beyers: 69-35-lost rider)

◗ Trained by Greg Tracy, he came from a stalking position to win an $8,000 claiming race by seven lengths Aug. 23.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Tracy has a 39 percent strike rate with horses jumping in price by 50 percent or more.