Northlands Park: Rum Ruckus in good spot for second win in Saturday sprint

Rum Ruckus is overdue to get his second win, and he may have found the right spot to get over the hump when he runs in a first-level allowance race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Northlands Park. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and goes as the seventh race on the eight-race card that begins at 1 p.m. Mountain.

Trained by Twylla Bensmiller, Rum Ruckus was an easy 6 1/2-length winner in his first start at the meet in a $22,000 maiden claiming race going six furlongs May 26. He has been knocking on the door since then, but he just hasn’t been able to close the deal. He finished second in his next two starts, which came in first-level allowance sprints, and the only time he finished worse than third in seven starts at the meet was when he tried three turns for the first time in a one-mile first-level allowance race July 13.

Rum Ruckus is coming off a neck loss to Fly Ruudy Fly on Sept. 3, when he earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 71 and finished 8 1/4 lengths clear of Gilded Eagle, who finished third. A similar effort should get the 4-year-old gelding over the top.

Leading rider Rico Walcott rides Rum Ruckus.

Delta Court looks like the main threat. Trained by Rick Hedge, Delta Court is coming off a third-place finish behind Silver Baubles and Cafeine Cowboy in a one-mile $40,000 optional claiming race for 3-year-olds Sept. 1. Silver Baubles came back to beat Cafeine Cowboy again in the $50,000 Beaufort Stakes for Alberta-bred 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles Sept. 15.

This will be the first time Delta Court has sprinted since he won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race June 16. The only time he finished worse than third since his win was in the $50,000 Count Lathum.

Back Alley Rally is a bit of a mystery, but if he can improve off his easy eight-length win in a $7,000 maiden claiming race Aug. 25, he could be a factor. Trained by Rowdy Peuse, Back Alley Rally really hadn’t been a threat in any of his five previous races, which came at Portland Meadows and Lethbridge, and the $32.50 win price reflected his modest form. He did show some signs of life in his first start at Northlands, however, finishing fourth in a $7,000 maiden claiming race Aug. 17.