Northlands Park: Sin Toro steps up after win

Sin Toro will be gunning for his fourth straight win when he runs in a $10,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that will serve as Wednesday’s feature at Northlands Park. The six-furlong sprint drew eight horses and will go as race 7 on the eight-race card that begins at 6 p.m. Mountain.

Sin Toro was a sharp winner of a $7,500 claiming race going six furlongs in his first start of the year May 23. It was Sin Toro’s first start for trainer Deanna Walper. She took over from Janet Wig who is now retired. A stakes winner at 2 and 3, Sin Toro has plenty of back class to handle the jump in class. He was up close to a fast pace in his latest win, but he is versatile and came from well back to win his last two starts of 2010. His ability to rate should help him in a race that figures to have a fast and contested pace.

Rafeal Zenteno retains the mount.

A Lil Dumaani forced an honest pace before tiring to finish fourth as the favorite in a $13,000 claiming race going six furlongs May 23. Acting on behalf of Tim Gordon and Wes Hanson, trainer Robertino Diodoro claimed A Lil Dumaani for $8,000 in his previous start at Hollywood Park, where he set the pace before fading to sixth April 30. His last win came in a $62,500 optional claiming race at Del Mar last August. He drew post 2 and jockey Jorge Carreno figures to have him involved right from the start.

The expected fast pace could help set up the Ernie Keller-trainee Just Call Me Duke. A winner of five races at Northlands last year, Just Call Me Duke finished fourth when he made his seasonal debut in a $10,000 claiming race May 28. After trailing the field early, he made his usual strong late move to just miss by three-quarters of a length. He could take a big step forward in his second start of the year, and the shape of the race will certainly aid his chances.

Seattle P. I. set the pace and held on well to finish a half-length in front of Just Call Me Duke in his first start since he won a $6,250 claiming race for nonwinners of three at Turf Paradise on March 18.