Burnum, Sky Commander viable options in turf sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The speedy Silver Freak’s penchant for weakening in the stretch when he has been bet below even money should make value-conscious bettors look elsewhere for the winner when he’s in the entries. Burnum and Sky Commander are viable alternatives to Silver Freak in Friday’s Woodbine feature, a second-level optional $62,500 claimer scheduled for six furlongs on grass.

Burnum had a productive 2013 campaign, winning 2 of 9 starts and more than $100,000. One of his better performances was a third behind Laugh Track and Canadian champion sprinter Essence Hit Man in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes.

Burnum was a non-threatening fifth in his only outing this year April 19 in the Jacques Cartier, but that Polytrack stakes contained the future stakes winners Really Sharp and Sharp Sensation. He faces much easier competition Friday on a surface over which he has a decent record from limited opportunities.

Justin Stein will ride Burnum for trainer Sam DiPasquale, who won an allowance with Air Blade last Sunday.

Sky Commander also had a fruitful 2013, highlighted by a victory by disqualification in the one-mile Charlie Barley Stakes on grass. He was claimed for $50,000 in October by Alpine Stable and trainer Francesca Armata.

Following a winter break, Sky Commander finished third in a shorter optional-claiming sprint on Polytrack in April. Most recently on May 28, he dead-heated with Silver Freak for third after awaiting room on the turn in a seven-furlong turf sprint.

David Moran retains the mount on Sky Commander, who would prefer more ground than three-quarters but should have a say in the outcome if the pace is quick.

As for Silver Freak, he managed to clear his first allowance condition convincingly traveling 1 1/16 miles Dec. 19 at Gulfstream. He resurfaced from a layoff there in a tougher optional claimer April 6, when he faded to third after opening up a substantial lead in the early stages.

Silver Freak had to deal with another rival up front when he cut back to seven furlongs May 28. He wilted in the final sixteenth and finished behind the classy Lockout and Awesome Eclipse, who came back to post an upset in the allowance prep for the Highlander Stakes.

Accomplished speed rider Jesse Campbell takes over on Silver Freak, who is trained by Brian Lynch.

Rounding out the eighth-race lineup are D’s Perfect Soul, Say No More, Java King, Say Ow, and Canadian Navy.