Iosilver's fitness the question

Iosilver has the class and speed to dominate Saturday's opener at Hawthorne, but whether he has the requisite fitness after sporadic appearances on the racetrack over the past couple of years remains to be seen.

The 1 1 /16-mile third-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option kicks off an 11-race program at Hawthorne on Breeders' Cup Day, with a special post time of 12:35 p.m. Central.

Iosilver peaked in November 2005 with a 16-length romp in the Schaefer Mile at Hoosier Park, garnering a Beyer Speed Figure of 111, but has managed just five starts since then. In his only start this year, Iosilver led for nearly a mile in a high-end allowance over wet turf at Arlington in July, but wound up trailing by 20 lengths at the finish.

The return to dirt Saturday should benefit Iosilver, and he appears to be the speed of the speed on paper, but the possible lack of fitness may ultimately come into play.

Another with back class is Le Jester, who in the span of 13 days last March won two optional claimers at Hawthorne, earning Beyers of 96 and 101. Le Jester later ran third in the Grade 3 National Jockey Club Handicap, but was nearly 41 lengths behind the top pair of Master Command and Sweetnorthernsaint.

Le Jester returned from a three-month layoff on Oct. 6 against optional claiming foes and set a slow pace, but tired to sixth and was beaten 11 lengths.