Northlands Park: Real Dingo seeks easier spot in optional claimer

Real Dingo, who is coming off a fourth-place finish in the $100,000 Speed to Spare, will appreciate the substantially easier company when he runs in a $25,000 optional claimer that headlines an eight-race card Friday at Northlands Park. The 1 1/16-mile feature for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and goes as the seventh race. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. Mountain.

Trainer Red Smith was somewhat ambitious when he entered Real Dingo in the 1 3/8-mile Speed to Spare won by Grade 3 winner Senor Rojo on Sept. 2. Real Dingo was taking a big step up in class after beating Delta Court in a $17,500 claiming race going one mile Aug. 12. It was his first start for Smith, who had claimed him Aug. 5 out of a winning race for $8,000. Real Dingo did have some credentials for being in the premier race for 3-year-olds and up, however. Last year in the same race, he rallied to finish second by a neck behind Toccetive and 2 1/4 lengths clear of Senor Rojo.

Real Dingo lacks speed, but there should be an honest pace for him to work with, and with only six horses in the field, leading rider Rico Walcott should be able to work out a clean trip.

Igotadeal drew the rail, where Shannon Beauregard figures to use his speed right from the start. Trained by Elly Rutherford, Igotadeal is coming off a rough trip going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $35,000 optional claimer for 3-year-olds Sept. 14. He spotted the field quite a few lengths when he broke awkwardly and when he was in the midst of making a strong late move he got bumped by Hardly Forgotten on the stretch turn. Igotadeal finished fourth but was moved up to third when the stewards disqualified Hardly Forgotten for causing interference.

In his two previous races, Igotadeal set the pace and held on to finish second going one mile in a second-level allowance race Aug. 30 and a $25,000 optional claimer Aug. 17.

Risky Call also has speed and last year he used it to win three races, including the Canadian Juvenile for trainer Joan Petrowski. He hasn’t won in 2013 but after going unplaced in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby showed decent speed while finishing second to multiple stakes winner Proud Victor in the same race Igotadeal exits.

Live a Little and Delta Court should be heard from late.

Royal Grand completes the field.