Northlands Park: Salt Flat Speed wires Journal Handicap

Heavily favored Salt Flat Speed was a convincing 1 1/4-length winner over Footprint in the $50,000 Journal Handicap at Northlands Park on Saturday.

With Rico Walcott aboard, Salt Flat Speed broke sharply and then was chased the whole way by Footprint. Salt Flat Speed set moderate fractions of 23.80 and 46.60 seconds in the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up. Carrying high weight of 123 pounds, he posted a final time of 1:11.40. Second choice Heavenly Chorus made a late move to finish third.

Salt Flat Speed paid $3.10 and is trained by Jim Meyaard. He was coupled with Andiotis, who finished fourth.