Hamiltonian looks to regain form in Turf Paradise sprint feature

Three horses who recorded stakes wins during their 2013 campaigns are among eight older sprinters in Monday’s featured seventh race at Turf Paradise. But it’s a gelding who has gone winless in 10 starts over the past two seasons who might be the most intriguing runner in a third-level allowance that is also open to $25,000 claimers going six furlongs.

Hamiltonian hasn’t won a race since taking a second-level optional $40,000 claimer in December 2012 at Fair Grounds. Although he went 0 for 9 in 2013, Hamiltonian ran well enough to post Beyer Speed Figures of 94-97-96 with placings in small stakes at Delaware Park, Sam Houston, and Fair Grounds.

His lone start this year, however, makes Hamiltonian hard to gauge. Sent off at 9-5, he displayed none of his customary early speed and finished ahead of just one horse while beaten nearly 14 lengths on Feb. 7 at Fair Grounds. He was claimed out of that race and will make his first start for new trainer Greg Tracy on Monday.

Tracy is just 2 for 23 (9 percent) the last five years first time off the claim and an equally dismal 2 for 33 (6 percent) with all sprinters returning from a break of 61 to 180 days.

Dallon’s Gold, Najran Breeze, and Uncle Dave all won minor stakes as 3-year-olds last season. Of that trio, Najran looks the most interesting.

After beginning his career by going 0 for 4 in Southern California, Najran Breeze shipped to Northlands Park last June and dominated four rivals, winning the Western Canada Handicap by 12 lengths, earning a 94 Beyer.

Najran Breeze went on to win another sprint at Northlands before finishing far back in two starts during the fall in California. He returns from a break of nearly six months for leading trainer Robertino Diodoro. His record with long layoff types in optional claiming sprints is 5 for 12 (42 percent).

Dallon’s Gold went 3 for 3 at Emerald Downs, including a restricted stakes, but faded to next to last in the Lost in the Fog Juvenile in his lone start at Turf Paradise in December. He makes his first start since then for a new trainer, Val Brinkerhoff.

Uncle Dave won the 1 1/16-mike Luke Kruytbosch on New Year’s Eve. He returns to the main track for the first time since then after three starts on turf while also going from a route to a sprint and adding blinkers.