Canterbury: Humble Smarty faces plenty of early pressure in Honor the Hero

Humble Smarty, winner of last year’s Claiming Crown Rapid Transit, will lead a field of nine in the $35,000 Honor the Hero Turf Express on Memorial Day at Canterbury Park.

While Humble Smarty’s greatest success has come over the dirt, he has hit the board in half of his 10 grass starts. He can be expected to go to the front from his rail post in Monday’s five-furlong race under hot jockey Dean Butler.

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He will have some company on the front end from oft-claimed Sharkiowa, Arizona shipper Green Secret, the mare Summer Nights, the filly Machorina, and Streamin Heat, who finished the 2010 season with a three-race winning streak at Arlington Park.

In addition to Machorina, trainer Mike Biehler will send out recently claimed Council Oak. In March, first race off the claim, Council Oak missed by a nose in a first-level allowance at Fair Grounds. Machorina will take on the boys for the first time in this race after making her seasonal debut in a $50,000 optional claiming race at Lone Star, where she flashed speed before fading to fifth.

Wekiva Wachee, who made his last two starts at Tampa, will be stepping up to stakes company for the first time but boasts the best last-race Beyer in the field, an 87, and will be looking for a sharp early pace to fit his late-running style.

Rounding out the field are consistent turf allowance performer Overthehump, the Mac Robertson trained Fufty Too, and first-time turfer Taos Canyon.

Post time for the Monday card is 1:30 p.m. Central.