Merlot gets class relief in sprint

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Merlot will appreciate the class relief when he drops into a $16,000 claiming race for non-winners of two races or British Columbia-bred non-winners of three that will serve as the featured race at Hastings on Saturday.

The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up attracted nine horses and is race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Merlot showed a lot of promise when he finished third in the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap for trainer Dino Condilenios on July 1. It was his last start as a sophomore, and he was purchased for $30,000 by the Hastings Racing Club 11 at the inaugural Hastings Paddock Sale on March 26.

Making his first start for trainer Nancy Betts, Merlot rallied to finish third behind The Odds R Good and Burrard Breeze in a six-furlong optional $25,000 claiming race April 30.

Merlot won’t mind the extra sixteenth he gets to work with, but he will need to stay in touch with what figures to be a moderate pace. Merlot will break from post No. 8 eight with Ruben Lara riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Merlot, by Rosberg

Last 3 Beyers: 68-68-68

◗ The fact that he was recently purchased for $30,000 and is in for $16,000 is a concern, but he ran a big race while coming off the bench and should move forward with a race behind him.

It’s in Command, by Second in Command

Last 3 Beyers: 67-29-68

◗ With Pedro Alvarado riding for trainer Harold Barroby, he took them all the way going six furlongs at this level in his first start of the year.

◗ There is not a lot of obvious speed in the field, and he could be tough to catch if he breaks on top with Scott Williams aboard.

Finally Diamonds, by Finality

Last 3 Beyers: 72-69-70

◗ He won at this level and distance two back and ran another solid race when he finished third going 1 1/16 miles in his final start of 2015.

◗ He has been training forwardly for trainer Barbara Heads, and it is interesting to see Alvarado choose him over It’s in Command.

Wonder World, by Cause to Believe

◗ Trained by Carl Lausten, he made a strong late move but couldn’t get past It’s in Command in his first start at the meet.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Lausten has a 17 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.