Knockitdownhard back at optimal distance in sprint feature

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Joe Sharp has developed a reputation as a skilled claiming trainer, but if his entrant in Friday’s eighth race at Churchill Downs, Knockitdownhard, proves successful, he said it will be owner Carl Moore who deserves the credit.

He said Moore selected Knockitdownhard to claim for $35,000 from an optional claimer Feb. 28 at Fair Grounds, with the short-term goal of bringing him back in the March 28 Costa Rising Stakes there for Louisiana-breds. And though he ran poorly the day he was claimed, finishing sixth, his next-out effort for Moore and Sharp was promising, resulting in a close third in the Costa Rising going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

“He didn’t get beat much by Heitai, who is one of the fastest sprinters around right now,” Sharp said of his horse’s one-length defeat.

On Friday, he benefits from running a sixteenth of a mile shorter at his best distance of five furlongs, and by not chasing a horse of the quality of Heitai, a multiple stakes winner and earner of more than $921,000.

His opposition in Friday’s eighth race is typical of what one would expect for a second-level allowance with a $54,000 purse and a $62,500 claiming condition. There are some useful horses in the lineup, but the elite turf sprinters on the grounds are not in the race.

Miguel Mena rides.

KEY CONTENDERS

Expecting Cash (Last 3 Beyers: 80-59-90)

◗ A short-distance specialist on synthetic and turf courses, he often capitalized in recent years by racing in starter allowances, but with his last claiming start coming in 2013, he is out of starter eligibility in Kentucky, which typically limits starter eligibility to horses who have started for a claiming price within the current or past year.

Ali’s Birthday (Last 3 Beyers: 84-87-93)

◗ He has led or been within a head of the pacesetter after the opening quarter-mile in all six of his races – registering two wins, a second, and a third – while exclusively racing on dirt. He has turf breeding on the bottom of his pedigree, being out of the Rahy mare Miss Utada.

Knockitdownhard (Last 3 Beyers: 95-64-85)

◗ He did the dirty work in the Costa Rising, chasing Heitai as that one set fast fractions, and though he gradually cut into that rival’s lead, he was caught for second in the final stride. The 95 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is easily the top last-race figure in this race.