Caleb's a Survivor goes for fifth straight win in Monday allowance

Caleb’s a Survivor, who began the season running for a low-level claiming tag against non-winners-of-two-lifetime competition, goes for his fifth straight victory in an exceptionally strong second-level allowance for New York-breds Monday at Finger Lakes.

The 4-year-old Calbeb’s a Survivor has reeled off four straight wins by a combined margin of 20 1/4 lengths. He takes the next logical step up the class ladder after crushing first-level allowance rivals by 8 3/4 lengths going a mile and 70 yards, the same distance as Monday’s seventh race.

Although Caleb’s a Survivor is razor sharp, he catches a tough field that includes Becker’s Galaxy and Smart Thinking, who have combined to win five straight route races, including four allowances.

The unknown quantity in the race is Wild Finish, who ships in for high-percentage trainer Wesley Ward to make just the second two-turn start of his career.

KEY CONTENDERS

Caleb’s a Survivor (Last 3 Beyers: 76-76-72)

Last four Beyers within narrow range of 72 to 76. Dominant winner at same distance July 12.

Becker’s Galaxy (Last 3 Beyers: 72-62-67)

Has won three straight allowance races, including his lone start this season.

Formulator Fact: Trainer Charlton Baker is 10 for 23 (43 percent) with last-out winners returning after a break of 31 to 60 days in a dirt route.

Smart Thinking (Last 3 Beyers: 78-63-70)

Daylight winner of his last two starts, including a first-level allowance June 28.

Formulator Fact: Trainer Mike Ferraro is 5 for 32 (16 percent) with a $2.48 return on investment with last-out winners back in less than 30 days switching from claiming to allowance company.

More Zen Tea (Last 3 Beyers: 70-75-75)

Uncoupled stablemate of Smart Thinking missed by a length as the odds-on favorite at this level two starts ago. Involved in exacta in 6 of 8 starts locally.

Formulator Fact: Ferraro is just 2 for 15 with route runners switching from turf to dirt.

Wild Finish (Last 3 Beyers: 59-64-65)

Stretches out after failing to clear first allowance condition in four sprints at Aqueduct and Belmont.

Wesley Ward is 1 for 6 shipping to Finger Lakes the last five years, with the lone win coming in an allowance sprint in 2011.