Irish Romeo could be sitting on another solid effort
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Irish Romeo feasted on a fast and contested pace when he romped in a $16,000 claiming race in his most recent start Sept. 27. A similar scenario could unfold when he runs in a $25,000 claiming race that will serve as the featured race Saturday at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses and goes as race 6 on a nine-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.
This will be the final Saturday of the 2015 meet that ends with a nine-race card Sunday.
With Amadeo Perez aboard, Irish Romeo trailed the field while Uncle Willard and Distillery were dueling through sprint-like fractions in his latest win going 1 1/16 miles. He ran a similar race when he won a $16,000 conditional-claiming race by 3 3/4 lengths on Aug. 7.
Sandwiched between his two wins was a third-place finish in an open $16,000 claimer won by next-out winner Go for Guinness on Aug. 31. Irish Romeo was a lot closer to the leaders in that race and didn’t have the same kind of kick that he showed in his two wins.
With a plethora of speed in the field, it is likely that Perez will let him settle early after he breaks from post 5.
Ain’t Tellin’ certainly will be involved in the early proceedings. Trained by Jim Penney, he won five races at Emerald Downs this year, leading right from the start each time. In his first race at Hastings going 1 1/2 miles in a $5,000 starter race Oct. 12, Perez tried to harness his substantial speed. After forcing the pace, Ain’t Tellin’ tired to finish seventh.
Jeff Burningham picks up the mount, and it is safe to assume that he won’t be taking the same kind of hold early.
KEY CONTENDERS
Irish Romeo (Last 3 Beyers: 80-75-76)
◗ The 5-year-old came back in May after a nearly nine-month layoff and has never been better. His sharp half-mile move last Saturday is a good indication that he’s ready to run another big race.
Off the Top (Last 3 Beyers: 73-61-78)
◗ The Robbie Anderson-trained 4-year-old showed a lot of promise last year and is coming off a confidence-building win in a $16,000 conditional-claiming race Oct. 12.
Ain’t Tellin’ (Last 3 Beyers: 53-79-81)
◗ The one to catch, he likes to freewheel, and he didn’t appear to be cooperating when Perez tried to rate him in his most recent start.