Local favorites meet in optional claimer

The featured race Sunday at Parx Racing is a high-level optional-claiming sprint that has attracted local favorites The Man, Red Razzo, Flashy Kyem, and Someday Jones.

All four horses get into the 6 1/2-furlong sprint as nonwinners of a race in 2018. Between them, The Man, Red Razzo, Flashy Kyem, and Someday Jones have won 22 races at Parx from 66 starts.

The Man, Red Razzo, and Flashy Kyem met in the Pennsylvania-bred Lyman Stakes on April 28, with The Man finishing fifth as the 8-5 favorite, Red Razzo checking in third, and Flashy Kyem fourth. None of the three broke sharply or had an ideal trip.

The Lyman was The Man’s first start since he scored his seventh consecutive win and fifth straight at Parx in the statebred Banjo Picker last September.

The Man didn’t break sharply from post 1 in the seven-furlong race and trailed early. He lodged a mild inside bid in upper stretch, but never really found his best stride.

Trainer John Servis has worked him twice since, and he should be sharper Sunday.

Red Razzo, trained by Jamie Ness, also was off slowly in the Lyman. He was shuffled back a bit on the far turn and then finished willingly.

Flashy Kyem, who races for Keith Nations, broke slowly before commencing a bid nearing the far turn. He was fanned very wide into the stretch.

Someday Jones will be making his first start for Servis since finishing seventh in the Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park in January.