Classic Crusader in top form for Wednesday feature
With two wins in his last three starts, Classic Crusader is a very sharp horse right now. And considering that he’s 7 for 14 in one-mile races, he looks like the one to beat in a $25,000 optional-claiming race that will serve as the feature at Northlands Park on Wednesday evening.
Also of interest is the return of Edison, who will be making his first start at Northlands since he romped by 11 1/2 lengths in last year’s Grade 3 Canadian Derby. The Robertino Diodoro trainee hasn’t won since, however, and is eligible to be claimed in the fourth race, a $12,500 claimer that drew six horses.
Classic Crusader, trained by Tom Rycroft, is versatile, and it showed in his last two wins. He forced a moderate pace when he won a one-mile, $25,000 optional-claiming race June 19. In his win for the same condition going 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 15, they went a bit faster up front, and he rallied from well back to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Sandwiched between his two wins was a sixth-place finish in the $60,000 Fred Jones Handicap on July 18.
There should be an honest pace, and jockey Tony Maragh likely will let Classic Crusader bide his time early after breaking from post No. 4.
Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Classic Crusader (Last 3 Beyers: 74-63-72)
◗ He was an easy winner at this level last out and should get a similar trip while cutting back to his favorite distance.
Midnite Poppa (64-75-28)
◗ Trained by Greg Tracy, he was sent off as the favorite in Classic Crusader’s latest win but might have bounced following a sharp win in a one-mile, $25,000 optional-claiming race July 29.
◗ He has good tactical speed and should get a nice trip stalking Kesler and possibly Barfly’s Survivor.
Kesler (Last 3 Beyres: 67-49-76)
◗ The Alfred Webster-owned and -trained 4-year-old looks like the one they will have to catch. He won’t mind the slightly shorter distance after finishing second to Classic Crusader on Aug. 15.
Barfly’s Survivor (Last 3 Beyers: 71-71-69)
◗ Trained by Jerri Robertson, he is trending in a positive direction and could be dangerous if he can avoid getting into a duel with Kesler.
◗ This could serve as a prep for the $50,000 Breeders’ Handicap on Sept. 19. Last year, he was 34-1 when he won that 1 1/16-mile race restricted to Alberta-breds.