M B Sea needs wake-up call

As recently as last November, M B Sea was considered good enough to run in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. In his most recent start in February, however, M B Sea was entered for a claiming price, albeit for an exorbitant $250,000.

The now 8-year-old M B Sea, a deep closer, wasn't competitive at either level and hasn't won in the last two years. Now, trainer Dale Romans hopes a return to Mountaineer Race Track for the $75,000 Slipton Fell Handicap can restore his form.

In his only two appearances locally, M B Sea won the 2005 West Virginia Governor's Stakes by seven lengths with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure and finished second in that same race in 2003 with a 99 Beyer.

The horse with the best form is Bernie Blue, who registered a career-best Beyer of 104 in winning the six-furlong Waterford Park Handicap on May 19. Bernie Blue is a question mark at the mile and 70-yard distance of Saturday night's race, however. In his only two route tries on dirt, both at Mountaineer, Bernie Blue was 10th in the 2005 West Virginia Derby and second with a modest 79 Beyer in an allowance.