Magic Tiger looks dangerous second off the bench in Free Press

Magic Tiger had a terrific 2023 season at Assiniboia and should be dangerous in his second start off the sidelines in Wednesday’s $50,000 Free Press Stakes at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up.

After coming up from Golden Gate to join trainer Wendy Anderson’s local string in spring 2023, Magic Tiger promptly won two allowance/optional claimers in a row over seven furlongs. When cutting back to six furlongs in last year’s Free Press, his rally came up a neck short while third in a nine-horse field.

Magic Tiger went on to win three stakes in his next four outings, most notably the $50,000 Gold Cup over nine furlongs, for which he got an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.

Magic Tiger drew the outside post 10 with Damario Bynoe along for the ride. Bynoe rode him exclusively here last year, but was not aboard when the 6-year-old ran third in his season opener in a five-furlong allowance/optional claimer.

Anderson also is sending out the speedy Jeff Fa Fa, who figures to help set the pace with Brody’s Streak and Chicago’s Gray in close proximity.

Jeff Fa Fa notched a stakes at Century Downs last September for Anderson before wintering at Aqueduct with trainer Rob Atras. He finished second and fourth while favored in both of his five-furlong starts at this stand under Bynoe. Sven Balroop takes over in this spot.

Brody’s Streak is seeking his third victory in a row after landing back-to-back five-furlong allowance/optional claimers with a pair of 73 Beyers. Rashaad Knights retains the mount on the 5-year-old for trainer Tom Gardipy, and they’re a combined 4 for 12 at the meet.

Chicago’s Gray finished far up the track in the 2023 Manitoba Derby. He ran hot and cold in his two starts this spring for trainer Lise Pruitt.

Fast Traffic was competitive in his last three outings against $20,000 conditioned claimers at Lone Star. The son of Cross Traffic is debuting off the claim by trainer Lee Delaronde, who was 1 for 34 off a claim during the past five years.

Delaronde recently took over the training duties on Prayforpeace from Jerry Gourneau. The son of Liam’s Map beat Jeff Fa Fa and Magic Tiger in his victorious penultimate start before a dull fifth when stepping up to stakes company most recently in the Rangatira.

Explosive and Mr. Stang ran one-two in the five-furlong Rangatira. Explosive prevailed at 30-1 after closing from fifth in his second appearance of the year and is moving out to a distance over which he has never hit the board.

Mr. Stang attended the pace from a three-wide position before losing the Rantagira by a head. He had a busy winter campaign at Golden Gate and Turf Paradise, where he was claimed for $35,000 in February by trainer Carlos Moreno.

Completing the field are Convention and Big Nick.