Eustacia totes heavy load in Northlands Oaks

Eustacia will pay the price for dominating the Chariot Chaser and R.K. “Red” Smith Handicap when she runs in the $50,000 Northlands Oaks at Northlands Park on Friday evening. Due to her powerful performances, she has been assigned the high weight of 124 pounds and will spot her rivals five to 13 pounds.

The one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies drew eight horses and is scheduled for 9 p.m. Mountain.

Trained by Greg Tracy, Eustacia has won her last five races at Northlands by a combined 23 3/4 lengths. In her last start, in the $51,000 Smith with Scott Williams aboard, she was put under pressure at the half-mile call in the one-mile race. However, she easily repelled the bid by Star Lady and drew off to win by 4 3/4 lengths.

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Eustacia’s only loss since she won a maiden special weight race going 3 1/2 furlongs in her third start last August came at Turf Paradise, where she finished third in an allowance race March 16. It was her first start since she won the $52,000 Freedom of the City on Oct. 24, so it is possible that she needed the race.

Williams retains the mount and likely will be gunning Eustacia to the lead after she breaks from post 6.

Some Gave All looks like the main threat off back-to-back wins in $30,000 conditional claimers at Churchill Downs for trainer Chris Richard. She was claimed out of her latest win by owner and trainer Robert O’Connor, who subsequently sold her to Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.

Some Gave All will make her first start for trainer Tim Rycroft, and if she can stalk what is going to be fast and contested pace, she could pull off the upset.

Northlands Oaks, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Eustacia (Last 3 Beyers: 75-78-50)

◗ She has dominated the local 3-year-old filly division, and the only concern is how she will handle toting 124 pounds around three turns.

“I think she’ll be all right with the weight,” said Tracy. “I’m more worried about all the other speed in the field.”

Some Gave All (Last 3 Beyers: 62-62-62)

◗ She has been sharp at Churchill and could get a nice trip stalking what figures to be a fast and contested pace.

Quality Lane (Last 3 Beyers: 66-65-31)

◗ Trained by Joan Petrowski, she figures to be rolling late and could pick up the pieces if an all-out pace battle develops.