Hard to look past Commander in Fred Jones Handicap

A couple of differently shaped $50,000 stakes races share top billing at Northlands on Saturday.

Commander is a total standout in the Fred Jones Handicap, which drew six older horses going 1 1/16 miles. According to owner Glen Todd, the Fred Jones could be Commander’s last race at Northlands this year.

“He has to carry 128 pounds, and if he wins, I hate to think what he’ll have to carry next time,” said Todd.

The Count Lathum is a more competitive event in which Tizawonderfulbuzz figures to be favored over a modest field of seven 3-year-olds. The winner of the 1 1/16-mile race likely will be pointed to the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby on Aug. 16. Post time for the first of nine races is 1 p.m. Mountain.

FRED JONES HANDICAP (RACE 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

COMMANDER (Last 3 Beyers: 79-83-78)

◗ The double Grade 3 winner looked like a man running against boys when he won his fifth straight stakes race at Northlands in the Spangled Jimmy on June 7. Before blowing away the field, he was under a snug hold while sitting six lengths behind the leaders after a brisk half-mile in 46.07 seconds in the one-mile race.

◗ He appears to be on top of his game right now, and according to his trainer, Dennis Terry, he was well within himself when he worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:01.80 last Saturday. Terry also wasn’t overly concerned about Commander being able to carry the high impost.

“He really couldn’t be doing any better, and he’s a big horse, so I don’t think the weight will bother him,” said Terry.

◗ According to DRF ’s Formulator, since 2012, Terry has won with 70 percent of his starters in non-graded stakes at Northlands.

◗ Commander drew post 2, and considering the lack of real speed in the field, Quincy Welch will probably get him involved early.

FOR CASH (Last 3 Beyers: 72-69-72)

It is hard to see any of them beating Commander, but the one with the best chance is For Cash.

◗ He pulled off a 16-1 upset in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby last year and is coming off a sharp win in an optional $35,000 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles for trainer Dale Greenwood on July 5.

◗ He has won half of his starts at the distance and has had two solid races since he finished second to Commander in the Spangled Jimmy.

It is hard to make a case for the rest of the overmatched field.

COUNT LATHUM (RACE 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

TIZAWONDERFULBUZZ (Last 3 Beyers: 66-71-72)

◗ This son of Tizwonderful proved he could handle three turns when he won an optional $30,000 claiming race going one mile for trainer Greg Tracy on July 4. It was his third straight win at Northlands, and with his good tactical speed, he should get a nice trip leaving from the inside post with leading rider Rico Walcott retaining the mount.

◗ He might be questionable going 1 3/8 miles in the Canadian Derby, but 1 1/16 miles should be well within his reach.

“We’re just taking it one race at a time,” said Tracy. “He’s a big horse that is very relaxed when he’s training, so who knows how far he’ll go?”

GO MAX (Last 3 Beyers: 63-59-63)

◗ He is still eligible for a nonwinners-of-two, but despite a wide trip, he was six lengths clear of True Thought when he finished second in the $55,000 Ky Alta Handicap on June 21. Trained by Joan Petrowski, who won the 2012 Canadian Derby with Toccetive, Go Max hasn’t finished worse than third in eight starts. He will break from post 4 with Welch riding.

THE SPINMEISTER (Last 3 Beyers: 33-60-54)

◗ He was sent off as the favorite in the Ky Alta, but after pressing the early pace, he faded badly to finish last.

◗ The blinkers come off, and according to Formulator, over the past five years, trainer Rob Chabot has a 24 percent strike rate while making the equipment change.