Former claimer Boot Legger moves up to stakes company

Since he was claimed for $7,500 in February, the 4-year-old gelding Boot Legger has responded by running the three fastest races of his career, picking up two wins and a close second.

The question is whether Boot Legger’s sharp form against open company and a 10-pound weight break will be enough to topple the crack sprinter Rivers Run Deep in the first stakes of the season at Belterra Park, the $75,000 Ed Babst/Albert Palacios Handicap.

The six-furlong stakes for Ohio-breds drew a field of six and goes as race 5 at 3:26 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

Boot Legger, the winner of the Tall Stack at Belterra last spring, subsequently lost seven straight while dropping down the class ladder. But a month after he was claimed by owner-trainer Odin Londono Jr., Boot Legger gave a much-improved performance, finishing second at 38-1 in a third-level optional $20,000 claimer.

Boot Legger followed up with back-to-back wins. In his most recent victory in a no-conditions allowance for open company, he defeated 13-time winner Moving Style by 3 1/2 lengths.

The 5-year-old Rivers Run Deep has been nearly invincible in Ohio-bred stakes company. Since 2014, Rivers Run Deep has won eight stakes, including last year’s Babst-Palacios by nine lengths. He tuned up for this spot by winning his season debut in a second-level optional $50,000 claimer at Oaklawn Park on April 13.

Rivers Run Deep will carry 126 pounds – two pounds fewer than in last year’s event – and will spot his rivals six to 13 pounds.

Babst-Palacios Memorial Handicap, Race 5

KEY CONTENDERS

Rivers Run Deep, by Ready’s Image

Last 3 Beyers: 87-65-85

◗ The only time in the past two seasons he didn’t deliver a good performance against statebreds came when he finished fourth following a troubled trip in last fall’s Cardinal Handicap at Mahoning Valley. No one else in this field has come close to his string of Beyer Speed Figures in the mid-80s.

Boot Legger, by Afleet Express

Last 3 Beyers: 74-75-76

◗ He has been a much-improved horse since changing barns but needs another big move forward to threaten the favorite.

Mound, by Mercer Mill

Last 3 Beyers: 57-70-37

◗ A three-time stakes winner at 2, Mound went 0 for 10 as a 3-year-old last year but finally woke up when he romped by 11 lengths at 38-1 in an open-company allowance two starts ago. He was unable to maintain that form when he returned four weeks later, however.