Last-out Beyer Figure points out Sharp Art
The field for the $50,000 Clem McSpadden Memorial Route 66 Stakes on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs includes four horses who have combined to win 10 stakes races – Johnny Whip (5), Chifforobe (2), Flat Back (2), and Meme Jo (1).
But none of them figures to go favored.
Sharp Art is likely to assume that role. He will be making his stakes debut in the Route 66 but is coming off an Oaklawn sprint win for which he earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 96. It’s the best number in the field.
The Route 66 is the second stakes of the young meet at Will Rogers. It is for 3-year-olds and up and will be run over six furlongs. The race drew a field of seven.
Clem McSpadden Memorial Route 66 (race 8)
KEY CONTENDERS
Sharp Art, by Sharp Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 96-84-85
◗ He ran perhaps the best race of his career last out at Oaklawn, winning an optional $35,000 claiming race at six furlongs March 18. He covered the distance in a sharp 1:09.40.
◗ Joe Johnson was aboard Sharp Art last out and has the mount again. Sharp Art has tactical speed and will break from post 7.
◗ Brad Cox trains Sharp Art for Bryan D. Foster.
Johnny Whip, by Stephen Got Even
Last 3 Beyers: 69-84-83
◗ He won the fifth stakes race of his career in November at Remington Park, taking the $50,000 Silver Goblin. In his most recent stakes start, he was second in the $50,000 Sam Houston Sprint Cup on Feb. 13, finishing three lengths behind Fair Grounds stakes winner Control Stake.
◗ Johnny Whip will be looking for win No. 15 on Tuesday and his sixth win at Will Rogers.
◗ Benny Landeros has the mount from post 2 for owner George Straw and trainer Jody Pruitt.
Chifforobe, by Nobiz Like Showbiz
Beyers: 65-53-80
◗ He exits the same allowance race as Johnny Whip, finishing one spot behind him in fourth after setting the pace. Earlier this year, Chifforobe won an optional $35,000 claiming race at Oaklawn.
◗ Belen Quinonez has the mount for trainer Scott Young.