Claiming race has several unusual twists
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Thursday's feature at Bay Meadows, a one-mile $20,000 claimer for 3-year-olds may seem to be just another mundane race on a typical midweek card. But from a handicapping angle, it is one of the more interesting races the track has offered in some time.
Two members of the seven-horse field are dropping, one is getting a double jump, and four others are also taking a double jump after being claimed for $12,500 in their previous starts.
The class of the field is Physical Force, who runs for a tag for the first time in his career as he drops from a $40,000 optional claiming sprint. He has tried a mile only once, staying in contention for six furlongs before he faded.
Olympic Miracle also drops after running for a $25,000 tag in his past two starts, a 1 1/16-mile turf race and six-furlong sprint.
Call It, whose three wins are the most in the field, steps up as he attempts a hat trick. He won for $6,250 at Vallejo on July 20 and for $12,500 on Sept. 27 after a freshener.
Trainer Chuck Peery sends out the entry of On Parole and Future Article, both of whom were claimed for $12,500 in their last start. On Parole won a maiden race by five lengths when Peery claimed him. Future Article was second when he was tagged.
Red Packet was also claimed from a maiden victory in which he defeated On Parole after running second in his previous start.
Tommy Rock, a beaten third when dropped to the lowest level of his career, was claimed and will be given his first race around two turns.
Call It has speed and brings the best last-race Beyer into the race.
Physical Force has Beyers in the 70's in his past five starts, while no one else in the field has more than two 70-plus Beyers in his career.
While Call It is the one to beat off his last and Physical Force the one to fear because of his consistency, Future Article could be the best price despite finishing second or better his past six starts.
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