The Great War, Pulling G's classy but questionable in allowance sprint

A pair of graded stakes droppers, The Great War and Pulling G’s, head the featured second race, a $67,000 money allowance, Friday at Keeneland on the penultimate day of the track’s fall meet.

For a race with only five runners, hence its placement by track officials so early on the card, the race is not without uncertainly, even among its class-dropping favorites. The Great War has raced mostly on synthetic tracks and turf, not dirt – the surface of Friday’s race – and Pulling G’s is unraced since Feb. 7, when fifth in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita.

The time off could leave Pulling G’s at a disadvantage, though Neil Howard, who took over his training from California-based John Shirreffs, is pleased with how the horse has done since joining his stable. “He’s fit – he’s ready to go,” Howard said.

Although not competitive in the Palos Verdes, beaten 10 lengths by Kobe’s Back, Pulling G’s showed potential by running third in the Grade 3 Midnight Lute and fourth in the Fall Highweight in earlier starts.

A 6-year-old gelding by Curlin, Pulling G’s is owned by Flag Lake II Stable and will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.

The Great War, unplaced in two dirt starts, might be forgiven for that record as it applies to Friday’s allowance. Earlier starts on dirt came in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, in which he ran a distant fourth behind Texas Red, and in the Oct. 7 Phoenix at Keeneland, in which he faded to fifth behind A. P. Indian, one of the favorites for the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Race 2

Key Contenders

Pulling G’s, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 78-94-99

◗ Although out of action for more than eight months, he has remained in training for much of that period, albeit with breaks. His works for Howard at his Churchill Downs base have been moderate and steady, coming on approximately a weekly basis since early October.

Black Bear, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 87-87-87

◗ A speedster who has placed in two stakes in 2016, he is the only horse with a victory this year, having taken an optional-claiming race June 30 at Churchill.

The Great War, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 92-84-62

◗ Ran well in defeat in the Grade 2 Phoenix, setting the pace and remaining in third until the eighth pole before tiring late to be fifth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths.