Northlands: Longer distance, class drop in Danzing Tribal's favor

Danzing Tribal will try to get back on track when he runs in a $22,000 claiming race at Northlands Park on Friday. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 6 p.m. Mountain.

Danzing Tribal had his four-race winning streak snapped in his first start at Northlands when he ran in a in a 3 1/2-furlong, optional $40,000 claiming race May 12. Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Danzing Tribal might not have cared for the short distance and he should appreciate the longer distance with the drop in class.

Acting on behalf of Stateside Racing, Diodoro claimed him for $5,000 out of a winning race at Fairplex last September. In his first start for his new connections, Danzing Tribal finished second in a second-level allowance race at Turf Paradise and then reeled off four straight wins, including a score in the $35,000 Caballos Del Sol on Dec. 3. Prior to his disappointing effort at Northlands, he won an optional $30,000 claiming race at Turf Paradise on Dec. 27.

With a race under his belt and a distance he should be more comfortable with, Danzing Tribal should be tough to get past if he breaks alertly with Jorge Carreno riding.

There is plenty of speed in the field and the ability to stalk could come in handy. Bent Tune, trained by Daniel Jones, forced the pace before tiring to finish second in his first start this year in a similar race. He doesn’t need the lead to win, though, and with a race behind him he could be more settled during the early stages of the race.

A 7-year-old Alberta-bred, Bent Tune has never won a race shorter than a mile in his 37-race career. Nonetheless, he showed more speed than usual in his first start this year and he could be sitting in a perfect spot behind what should be a hotly contested pace.

Locksley Hall will likely be involved right from the start. He won his last two races and he earned an 87 Beyer Speed Figure for his four-length romp going 3 1/2 furlongs in a $10,000 claiming race in his first start at Northlands on May 12. He had been claimed by trainer Rick Wise for $6,250 out of a winning race at Turf Paradise on March 9 and his owner, Kirk Sutherland, turned a nice profit when trainer Rick Hedge claimed him out of his last race for Al Pitchko.