Distance makes the difference for Geaux Wando

Geaux Wando’s form dramatically improved when he was stretched out to 1 3/8 miles three weeks ago. He won at 28-1 that day, but he will be a far shorter price when he goes even longer in Monday’s $23,000 turf feature at Mountaineer Racetrack.

The 5-year-old Geaux Wando, who paid $58.20 when he rallied from 20 lengths behind to get up by three-quarters of a length July 1, is the 3-1 morning-line choice in a starter allowance scheduled for 1 3/4 miles on turf. It was his first win since he defeated $7,500 claimers going 1 1/2 miles last September at Evangeline Downs and followed a pair of races at a mile and seven furlongs in which he was beaten a combined 25 1/2 lengths.

The marathon drew a field of 10 older horses, all of whom have started for a claiming price of $10,000 or less the past two years.

Viable options to the logical favorite include a pair of horses from trainers who have experience with long-distance jumpers, Richard Hendriks and James Day.

Starter allowance (race 3)

KEY CONTENDERS

GEAUX WANDO (Last 3 Beyers 66-42-53)

◗ His 4-for-15 turf record looks good in a field in which no other horse has more than two turf wins.

◗ Owner-trainer Tevis McCauley is 0 for 6 with last-out turf winners back in less than 30 days, according to DRF’s Formulator.

SOUL OF THE MOON (Last 3 Beyers 64-26-66)

◗ In turf races between 1 1/2 and two miles the last five years, trainer Richard Hendriks is 8 for 25 (32 percent) with 56 percent in the money.

◗ This 6-year-old’s Irish sire, Perfect Soul, hits at 10 percent (11 for 112) with runners going beyond 1 3/16 miles.

CASUAL CREEPER (Last 3 Beyers 81-51-45)

◗ Ended 0-for-17 slump on turf with 11-length romp at Penn National, posting by far the best last-race Beyer in this field.

◗ Proved he can handle long distances by dominating a maiden steepechase event by 12 lengths going 2 1/4 miles in April.

◗ Trainer James Day is only 2 for his last 30 in races between 1 1/2 and two miles.

SIR ANDREW (Last 3 Beyers 65-61-20)

◗ Surrendered a three-length lead in deep stretch to finish second to Geaux Wando three weeks ago.

◗ Beaten just three lengths going two miles on Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs last summer.

◗ Current trainer Edward Schuster is 3 for 118 (3 percent) since 2010.