Encryption drops down for Saturday optional claimer

After picking up small pieces of the purse in a pair of Grade 3 stakes, Encryption returns to a class level on Saturday at Monmouth Park at which he has excelled.

The 4-year-old Encryption is among six older males in the classiest race on the card, a third-level optional $50,000 claimer at a mile and 70 yards on the main track.

The last two times Encryption ran in high-priced optional claimers, he won easily, including an eight-length score while clearing his second allowance condition in February at Gulfstream Park. He subsequently was a distant third in the Grade 3 Skip Away and fifth after racing up close until deep stretch of the Grade 3 Pimlico Special.

Congenial also takes a class drop after encountering trouble at the start in each of his last two outings in listed stakes. He’s in for the optional $50,000 tag, the first time he has been offered for sale since he was claimed for $35,000 in January.

Key contenders

Encryption (Last 3 Beyers: 92-98-102)

* Trainer Kelly Breen does well with older males making their second start off a layoff in dirt routes (5 for 24, 21 percent). As a 3-year-old last year, this colt was second in the Grade 3 Pegasus and third in the Long Branch at Monmouth.

Freestyler (Last 3 Beyers: 93-89-80)

* This 5-year-old comes off back-to-back career-best Beyers in hard-fought races and may regress stepping up to the highest level of his career.

Catholic Cowboy (Last 3 Beyers: 97-83-98)

* Won the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at Gulfstream in December and has been freshened after finishing a close fourth against similar competition to what he faces Saturday in April at Keeneland. Be cautious, as trainer Nick Zito is 0 for his last 11 with dirt route runners at Monmouth returning from a break of 45 days or longer.

Congenial (Last 3 Beyers: 45-87-88)

* He fits if you judge him on his race three starts back, when he was second going a one-turn mile, and toss his last two outings in which he was bumped at the start.

Market Blaster (Last 3 Beyers: 88-85-82)

* He has been involved in the exacta in four of his last five starts while racing at Parx and Penn National. Brings along top rider Kendrick Carmouche, who is 5 for 14 so far this spring at Monmouth.