Burnum just needs clean trip in claimer
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – After winning five races in 2016, Burnum will be looking for his first win this year in a $16,000 claiming race at Hastings on Friday. With a clean trip, he could get it in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up that drew seven horses and anchors a seven-race card that begins at 7 p.m. Pacific.
Trained by Mike Anderson, Burnum had a compromised trip when he finished third in a similar race July 9. With Skyler White Shield aboard, he got squeezed back at the start, and when he appeared to be full of run, he had to wait for racing room on the stretch turn. Despite losing some momentum, he finished well and lost by only 1 3/4 lengths to After the Conflict and Bornatthetrack. Bornatthetrack also returns in this spot and drew the outside post.
Burnum has tactical speed and could be dangerous if he breaks alertly from post 2 with White Shield retaining the mount.
It is a wide-open race though, and a case could be made for just about every entrant.
KEY CONTENDERS
Burnum, by Roar of the Tiger
Last 3 Beyers: 67-66-68
◗ He seems to have lost a step as an 8-year-old, but he showed signs of life in his last start, and he’s had two sharp interim works.
◗ He could get a nice trip from a forward position if he doesn’t get impeded at the break.
Bornatthetrack, by Bernardini
Last 3 Beyers: 68-75-75
◗ The Peter Gregory-trained 7-year-old has been right there in all four of his starts at the meet and could be the one they have to run down. He doesn’t need the lead though, and with speed drawn to his inside, it wouldn’t be surprising to see David Lopez put him into a stalking position early.
Corky’s Luck, by Kentucky Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 64-67-75
◗ He is cutting back in distance after setting an honest pace before fading going around three turns in his second start at the meet.
FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Hastings, his trainer, Cindy Krasner, has a 20 percent strike rate and a $3.00 ROI with horses moving from a route to a sprint.
Rebus, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 77-64-65
◗ He is coming off a sharp win going 1 1/16 miles for $12,500 on July 2, and his trainer, Mark Cloutier, is winning races at a 30 percent clip at the meet.
◗ He’s never won sprinting, but he has come close and could be sitting on another big effort in just his third start this year.
Lassie’s Reward, by Good Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 66-76-73
◗ The 10-time winner finished behind Bornatthetrack and Burnum on July 9, but he may have bounced after earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure on dirt for his win in a $12,500 claiming sprint for trainer Nancy Betts on June 18.
