Classic Crusader should be tough despite quick turnaround

Classic Crusader will make his second start this week when he runs in a $17,500 claiming race at Northlands Park on Saturday. He is coming off a fourth-place finish with Heribert Martinez aboard in the $56,000 Harvest Gold Plate last Monday and should be tough to beat if he can handle the quick return.

Post time for the first of eight races is 1 p.m. Mountain.

Prior to the Harvest Gold Plate, Classic Crusader won his two previous races by a combined 13 1/4 lengths. His first romp was in a one-mile, $12,500 claiming race Sept. 12, when he rallied from fourth to win by 7 3/4 lengths over Hardly Forgotten, whom he will be facing again Saturday. He was farther back early when he stepped up in price to run in a $17,500 claiming race Oct. 1, but the result was the same, an easy score by 5 1/2 lengths over Bud Time and Royal Grand, who are also entered in the 1 1/16-mile race that drew seven horses.

Trained by Rod Cone, Classic Crusader will be reunited with Scott Williams, who was aboard for his back-to-back wins.

KEY CONTENDERS

Classic Crusader (Last 3 Beyers: 72-71-81)

◗ He will appreciate the easier company after running in a stakes race for the first time in his 42-race career. The 12-time winner does his best running late and should have an honest-enough pace to work with.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Cone has a 23 percent strike rate with horses coming back in a week or less.

:: Learn more about Formulator | Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts

Bobby Handy (Last 3 Beyers: 66-37-78)

◗ An eight-time winner this year, including four at Northlands, he will try to make amends after losing as the favorite in a $12,500 claiming race Oct. 3.

◗ The Tom Rycroft trainee is versatile, and depending on how he breaks, jockey Quincy Welch will either put him into the race right from the start or let him settle early.

Hardly Forgotten (Last 3 Beyers: 70-67-62)

◗ Trained by Canadian Hall of Famer Red Smith, he showed more speed when he won his first race this year in the same race that Bobby Handy and Wild Crush exit.

Wild Crush (Last 3 Beyers: 69-47-61)

◗ Trained by Dale Saunders, he came from well back to finish a half-length behind Hardly Forgotten in his latest, and it is encouraging to see leading rider Rico Walcott keep the faith.

Bud Time (Last 3 Beyers: 61-49-74)

◗ He has no wins this year, but he has finished second in 4 of 6 starts for trainer Rick Hedge and should be part of any exotics ticket.