Holler At the Moon should appreciate cutback to sprint
Class relief and the move to a sprint could get Holler At the Moon back in the winner’s circle when he runs in a $20,000 claiming race at Northlands Park on Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds drew six horses and goes as race 4 on an eight-race card that begins at 1 p.m. Mountain.
Trained by Tim Rycroft, Holler At the Moon has tried going around three turns twice in his eight-race career, and both times he faded badly after being in the mix early. In his most recent start, in the $49,000 Beaufort Stakes, he held the lead at the six-furlong mark before finishing a distant sixth in the 1 1/16-mile race restricted to Alberta-bred 3-year-olds.
Coming off a two-month layoff in his previous outing Sept. 5, he was an easy, front-running winner going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $15,000 conditional claimer for 3-year-olds and up. With the cutback in distance from the Beaufort, Holler At the Moon could be tough to catch if he clears early with Shannon Beauregard retaining the mount.
The horse he will have to hold off is Jovial Destiny, who has won four of his last five starts, including his latest going six furlongs in a $12,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds on Sept. 18.
Prior to his latest win, Jovial Destiny couldn’t keep up in a one-mile, $20,000 claiming race for sophomores Sept. 4.
Jovial Destiny can stalk and should get a nice trip from the outside post with usual rider Jorge Espitia aboard.
KEY CONTENDERS
Holler At the Moon (Last 3 Beyers: 27-64-47)
◗ The speed of the speed is 3 for 4 in sprints at the meet and may have tipped his hand when he worked a bullet four furlongs Oct. 9.
Jovial Destiny (Last 3 Beyers: 67-50-64)
◗ He earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure in his sharp win last out and may not have reached his peak.
Saturdaynitelites (Last 3 Beyers: 57-56-57)
◗ The Saskatchewan Derby winner was good enough to win a $50,000 starter allowance at Oaklawn Park this year.
◗ Trained by Jamie Hartmann, he forced an extremely fast pace before fading going 1 1/16 miles in a $17,500 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up in his first start at Northlands on Sept. 25.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Hartmann has a 24 percent strike rate over the past five years with horses going from a route to a sprint.