Fair Grounds: Banjammer another solid claim for Glyshaw

NEW ORLEANS - Banjammer, who ran away with a two-turn starter/optional claiming race Wednesday by 7 1/2 lengths, has won two consecutive races since being claimed by trainer Tim Glyshaw on Feb. 8 for $10,000.

On Feb. 23, Banjammer defeated first-level optional claiming rivals in his first start for Glyshaw.

Banjammer, My My Maria, and Tiban - all claimed by Glyshaw from low-level races - combined for six of Glyshaw's 12 victories at this meet.

Glyshaw said he had starter races in mind for Banjammer when making the claim.
"It's the same as with My My Maria and Tiban," Glyshaw said. "We claimed her to run in starters. We didn't think she'd run in allowance and stakes races."

Because starter races didn't fill, Banjammer wound up in the allowance race, Glyshaw said.

My My Maria, whom Glyshaw claimed for $7,500 on Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs, became a stakes winner at this meet before being sidelined with an injury.

For Glyshaw, she won a starter race at Churchill, a second-level optional claiming race at the Fair Grounds, and the Pan Zareta before finishing fifth in the Mardi Gras. On March 8, My My Maria finished second in a starter/optional claiming turf race but came out of it with a condylar fracture in a front leg. She had surgery in which two screws were inserted to repair the injury, Glyshaw said.

He claimed Tiban last May for $7,500 at Churchill. Since the claim, Tiban has won six races, including the $96,000 Claiming Crown Express. At this meet, Tiban won 2 of 3 starts, including a victory in optional claiming company.

Glyshaw's most successful starter runner was Ready's Rocket, who was retired last year. After being claimed by Glyshaw for $7,500 in May 2008 at Churchill Downs, Ready's Rocket won 16 races for Glyshaw, 11 victories coming at Churchill.