Meyaard's pair will be tough to top in Sun Sprint Championship

Trainer Jim Meyaard holds a tight hand with pair of aces in the $50,000 Sun Sprint Championship Handicap at Northlands Park on Monday.

The ace of spades is clearly Salt Flat Speed who will be looking to win his sixth straight race. He is backed up by a pretty strong kicker in Westerner Handicap winner Andiotis. Meyaard also entered Rapid’n Ready but indicated he probably wouldn’t run.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses and goes as race 8.

Salt Flat Speed has dominated the older handicap division at Northlands and he’ll pay the price by being asked to carry high weight of 126 pounds. After winning the 1 1/16-mile Don Fleming under 124 pounds July 24, Salt Flat Speed was scratched out of the Westerner due to an abscess in a foot. According to Meyaard, he is coming up to the race in excellent shape. Meyaard was especially pleased with Salt Flat Speed’s bullet half-mile move in 47.40 seconds, with Meyaard’s wife Amber aboard on Thursday.

“He just towed Amber around there,” he said. “He’s doing great, but so is Andiotis, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he beat Salt Flat Speed.”

Salt Flat Speed and Andiotis certainly complement each other well. Salt Flat Speed will be involved early, and Andiotis won’t be heard from until very late. Andiotis is coming off of second-place finish in the 1 3/8-mile Speed to Spare on Aug. 21.

Jockey Rico Walcott is named on all three horses.

Inuit Fisher, Zuri Mwana, and Mr. Shadar look like the main threats. The edge goes to Mr. Shader, who has won two of his last three races and was second to Andiotis in the Westerner.