Northlands: Lit’sgoodlookngray just to repeat last

Lit’sgoodlookngray figures to be a short price to win his second straight race when he runs in Saturday’s feature at Northlands Park. Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Lit’sgoodlookngray is coming right back for the same price, $17,500, and distance, six furlongs, that he won at May 21. The horse he will likely have to catch in the seven-horse field of older horses is Robo Willie.

In his first start at Northlands, with Jorge Carreno aboard, Lit’sgoodlookngray was last after the first quarter-mile before he made a strong move while going four wide down the backstretch. He moved up to second at the quarter pole and then took control of the race midway around the stretch turn. Lit’sgoodlookngray was coming off of a third-place finish in a $12,500 claiming race at Golden Gate April 1 and could take a big step forward in his second start over a surface he clearly thrived on. He is at home on a bullring as evidenced by his a solid 2-1-3 record from 7 starts at Fairplex. One of his wins came in the $50,000 Governor’s Cup in 2009.

Carreno retains the mount.

A triple stakes winner trained by Dale Saunders, Robo Willie could be ready for a big effort in his second start of the year. In his first race at the meet, Robo Willie finished a close second to two-time stakes winner Zuri Mwana in a $22,000 claiming race going 3 1/2 furlongs May 14. Robo Willie came back to work a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.40 seconds May 23 and could be dangerous if he clears early in a race where they probably won’t be going all that fast early. His last win came just over a year ago in a $40,000 optional claiming race.

Wired Two Twenty ran an even race to finish third behind Lit’sgoodlookngray in his first start of the year. Trained by Albert Strumecki, he is certainly eligible to move up enough in his second start back to threaten the top two.

Plagerist or Papa Time could make some noise late. Thiscatsgotcharm and Sax round out the field.