Crackdown staying busy by going in claiming feature
Crackdown showed a lot of potential when he debuted in a maiden special weight race June 20 and then put it all together when he romped as the heavy favorite in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race July 11. If he can handle running three times in just over a month, he could be the winner of a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds that headlines Saturday’s eight-race card at Hastings.
The 6 1/2-furlong dash drew seven horses, and Crackdown looks like the one to beat.
Trained by Troy Taylor, Crackdown ran like a horse who would improve with racing when he finished fourth in his debut. He broke okay from post 7 but would have gone four wide around the first turn if jockey David Lopez had asked him to use his good speed early. Instead, Lopez tucked him in behind a fast and hotly contested pace before engaging the leaders at the quarter pole. It looked like he might win the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, but he came up short.
Lopez put him right on the lead in his second start, and he drew off to win by 4 3/4 lengths.
The lightly raced colt appears to be versatile, so Lopez will have more than one option after he breaks from post 4.
Mighty Fraser is the only multiple winner in the field and will appreciate the class relief after finishing fifth in both the River Rock Casino and Chris Loseth Handicap.
Prior to his two races with stakes company, Mighty Fraser came from a stalking position to win a conditional allowance race May 9. The Mike Anderson trainee could get a similar trip here.
Stoneridge Ruler just missed at this level before finishing third in a quickly run $25,000 optional-claiming race July 12.
KEY CONTENDERS
Crackdown (Beyers: 72-63)
◗ He owns the best Beyer Speed Figure in the field, and as a half-brother to Saturday Nite Ride, a multiple stakes winner also trained by Taylor, he could have considerable upside potential.
Mighty Fraser (Last 3 Beyers: 65-64-67)
◗ He made a nice move into a strong pace before tiring in the stretch in his first route attempt in the $50,000 Chris Loseth. He could be dangerous with the move back to a sprint and certainly will appreciate the easier company.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Anderson has a 20 percent strike rate with horses going from a route to a sprint.