Northlands: Double Shuffle out to rebound
Double Shuffle will try and make amends for losing his last race when he runs in a $30,000 claiming race that will serve as Wednesday’s feature at Northlands Park. The one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and goes as the eighth race. First post for the nine-race card is 6 p.m. Mountain.
Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Double Shuffle ran an even race when he finished fourth as the 8-5 favorite in a similar race June 30. It was his first start at Northlands since he won the Harvest Gold Plate in 2010. It was also his first start on dirt in over a year. Beginning in February of 2011, Double Shuffle ran seven straight races on grass at either Santa Anita or Turf Paradise. In his last race in the United States he finished third in the $35,000 1 7/8-mile Hasta La Vista at Turf Paradise May 6.
A deep closer, Double Shuffle should have an honest pace to run at. If he can get up in time it would be his first win since he won the Harvest Gold Plate. Double Shuffle will be ridden by apprentice Amie Pooli.
My Lucky Thirteen is looking for his first win of the year and he is certainly a serious threat with the drop into a claiming race for the first time since he won a $15,000 nonwinners of two in 2010. Last year he won three races including the 3&4-year-old Sales Stakes for trainer Twylla Bensmiller. He closed out his season with a third in the Harvest Gold Plate. In 2012 he has gone unplaced in four starts but he did show more speed when he finished fifth in a $40,000 optional race July 7 and could be coming up to a big race. He drew post position 2, and if he breaks alertly jockey Heribert Martinez will likely have him involved right from the start.
Unbridled Fury also has decent speed and he is coming off a second-place finish in the same race Double Shuffle exits. He set the pace and held the lead heading into the stretch before being left behind by Real Dingo who won by a widening 4 1/2 lengths. He is trained by Linda Kropius.
Victor Man and Mocha Supreme are coming off a win, but both are taking a substantial step up in class.
Smile N Wave is looking for his first win since 2009.