Northlands Park: On the Key gets more ground to work with

On the Key will try to make amends when he makes his second start at Northlands Park in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds that will serve as Wednesday’s feature. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew seven horses and goes as race 8 on the nine-race card that begins at 6 p.m. Mountain.

On the Key was very impressive coming from last to win a seven-furlong $50,000 maiden claiming race at Keeneland before his second-place finish behind For Cash in a first-level allowance race at Northlands on May 29. Trainer Tim Rycroft warned that six furlongs might not be enough distance for this son of Ready’s Image, and it didn’t help that On the Key was squeezed back at the start. He also was up against it running over a track that clearly favored speed, with front-runners winning six of the eight races run.

On the Key came back to work a sharp four furlongs in 48.80 seconds June 7 and should appreciate having an extra sixteenth of a mile to work with.

Rico Walcott picks up the mount from Quincy Welch, who is serving a three-day suspension for careless riding.

Swiss Idol, Lord Carrington, and Keep’nitcountry all have speed, so there should be a fast and contested pace.

Pair of stakes upsets

There were upsets in both stakes races this past weekend.

Friday night, Awesome Plan paid $12.10 for her win over Plethora in the $50,000 Wild Rose for fillies and mares. Ridden by Jorge Espita, Awesome Plan stalked Plethora before taking over the lead inside the sixteenth pole in the six-furlong sprint.

Jaws n’ Paws, who was sent off as the favorite, never got involved and was eased on the backstretch.

Awesome Plan is trained by Dennis Terry and owned by Glen Todd. She posted a final time of 1:12.00.

Todd’s Commander was heavily favored Saturday to win the $50,000 Journal for the second straight year but finished third behind Silver Baubles, who paid $19. Tiny Giant finished second in the six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up.

Trained by Ron Grieves, Silver Baubles went wide around both turns but still managed to overtake Tiny Giant in deep stretch.

Owned and bred by Bar None Ranches Ltd., Silver Baubles posted a final time of 1:11.80.