Dazzled Saint, Choctaw Chuck meet again in Boyes Memorial

Horse for the course Dazzled Saint returned from 295 days on the sidelines to upset last year’s $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial Stakes at 21-1, edging fellow longshot Choctaw Chuck by a neck. The same two horses look like prime contenders again in Monday night’s running of the 5 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up at Presque Isle Downs.

Like last season, the now-9-year-old Dazzled Saint will make his first start since August in this stakes. Trained by John Bourke, Dazzled Saint is 12 for 29 lifetime at Presque Isle, with earnings of $424,730. He prepped for his comeback with a pair of five-furlong bullets within a six-day span this month.

The 5-year-old Choctaw Chuck, 5 for 11 locally, won the prep for the Boyes on June 1, scoring by a length as the 9-5 favorite while making his first start since October. Last season, he was a close second in the Boyes prep before just missing to Dazzled Saint at 16-1.

Chicago shipper Good Bye Greg looks dangerous after launching his season with a two-length win in a high-priced optional claimer on Arlington Park’s Polytrack.

The live longshot may be Rapid Dan, who is 5 for 10 at Presque Isle and is back just seven days after a dull performance sprinting on turf at Parx Racing.

Karl Boyes Memorial, Race 5

KEY CONTENDERS

Good Bye Greg, by Teuflesberg

Last 3 Beyers: 93-90-94

◗ This 5-year-old has raced just eight times, but his last three races in Polytrack sprints were excellent. High-percentage trainer Larry Rivelli is 7 for 27 (26 percent) with last-out winners making the second start of their form cycle in synthetic sprints.

Choctaw Chuck, by Bwana Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 89-86-89

◗ He followed his sharp win in the allowance prep for this stakes by working a five-furlong bullet in 58.40 seconds. He may get an ideal stalking trip just behind Good Bye Greg and Dazzled Saint.

Dazzled Saint, by Saint Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 77-82-93

◗ Raced just twice after winning this race last year. Flashed speed and faded to fourth in the 2014 Boyes. Must avoid getting used up in a speed duel.

Rapid Dan, by More Than Ready

Last 3 Beyers: 79-91-92

◗ Returns to Tapeta for the first time since last July, following six straight starts on turf, where he is 0 for 7. Maryland trainer Dale Capuano has won with eight of his first 18 starters at this meet.

Starling’s Law, by E Dubai

Last 3 Beyers: 83-71-87

◗ Rallied to finish two lengths behind Choctaw Chuck in his first start since November. Owns a 6-for-10 record locally for trainer Ron Potts, who is off to an 8-for-23 start at the meet.