Meyaard claim looks dangerous at Northlands

Stephanson could have an edge in Friday’s feature at Northlands Park, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint that drew nine older horses running for a $17,500 claiming price.

What makes Stephanson attractive is not only his sharp form – he is coming off of a win in a $13,000 claiming race July 7 – but also that he was claimed out of the race by trainer Jim Meyaard. According to DRF’s Formulator, over the past two years at Northlands Meyaard is 7 for 15, or 47 percent, with horses he has brought back the first time after he claimed them. His best purchase has been Salt Flat Speed. Claimed for $7,500 last year, Salt Flat Speed won his first start for Meyaard by 10 lengths and is now the top handicap horse at Northlands with back-to-back wins in the Journal and Spangled Jimmy.

Stephanson also has plenty of back class to handle the step up in class. He was a stakes winner as a 3-year-old at Hastings, and last year one of his four wins at Northlands was for $22,000.

Rico Walcott rides Stephanson.

Babs Moosa is stepping up after being claimed for $10,000 by trainer Elige Bourne out of a win on July 4. It was Babs Moosa’s second straight score and he has been a sharp horse since he came back from a long layoff. After missing all of 2009, Babs Moosa has compiled a 4-0-3 record from 8 starts beginning at Golden Gate in February. He also has plenty of back class, with a couple of stakes wins at Del Mar as a 2-year-old in 2008.

Sparhawk hasn’t won for a while but he has tactical speed and could be dangerous.