Northlands allowance a class test for Striking Time

Undefeated Striking Time dominated his 2-year-old rivals at Marquis Downs last year and he will get a real class test when he tackles a solid field of allowance horses running in a $32,000 optional claiming race at Northlands Park Sunday. The six-furlong race for 3-year-olds drew six horses and goes as the seventh race.

Striking Time will be making his first start for trainer Rod Cone. Racing in Saskatchewan for trainer Fern Zdunick last year, Striking Time won his four races by a combined total of just over 30 lengths. Three of his wins came in stakes races and he won all of his races with relative ease. How will he fit in with the horses at Northlands?

“I don’t know,” said Cone. “Who knows what kind of horse he was beating in Saskatchewan? He’s sound and has been training well, but I haven’t really tested him in the mornings. Let’s just say he is an unknown commodity.”

Ademar Santos rides Striking Time.

Another Cone trainee, Boomtown Brat, figures to be one of the favorites. He won the Birdcatcher Stakes at Northlands last year, and in his first start of 2011 he finished third to Bond James Bond in a $75,000 optional race at Hastings April 16. He may have bounced when he finished seventh in a 3 1/2-furlong $40,000 optional race at Northlands May 15.

Montellano could be dangerous in his first start for trainer Jim Meyaard. Acting on behalf of Al Side, Meyaard claimed Montellano for $50,000 when he finished last in a four-horse field at Santa Anita April 15. Montellano has good speed and should put it to good use breaking from the rail. Prior to being claimed, Montellano finished second by a nose in a $40,000 claiming race at Santa Anita March 10.

The Great Caper and Joker Lake also have good early lick. The Great Caper is coming off of a fourth-place finish in the Jim Coleman Province at Hastings. Joker Lake is undefeated in two starts, both going 3 1/2 furlongs.

Iced Mocha rounds out the field.