One-mile distance favors Trooper John in Spangled Jimmy

Trooper John figures to be a handful when he goes around three turns for the first time this year in the $50,000 Spangled Jimmy Handicap on Saturday at Northlands Park. The one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 7 on an eight-race program that begins at 1 p.m. Mountain.

Trainer Tim Rycroft said he doesn’t want Trooper John to think he is just a sprinter after he won the $50,000 Journal going six furlongs on May 19. He isn’t.

As a 2-year-old, he won the one-mile Canadian Juvenile at Northlands by 8 1/2 lengths. As a 3-year-old last year, Trooper John edged Bar No Q in the one-mile Ky Alta before romping by 9 1/2 lengths in the Count Lathum.

His only losses as a 3-year-old were narrow ones to Chief Know It All. The first was by a half-length in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at 1 3/8 miles. They renewed their rivalry going 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings, where the margin was a nose.

Trooper John has tactical speed, and he’ll need to use it in a race where they may not be going all that fast early. Trooper John breaks from the outside post with Rigo Sarmiento riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Trooper John, by Colonel John

Last 3 Beyers: 83-72-75

◗ He held off Saturday rival Born in a Breeze by a neck in the Journal – and he is a much-better horse going a middle distance.

◗ With a sharp interim work and two sprints behind him this year – he finished third in the $50,000 Swift Inaugural on April 22 at Hastings – he could be sitting on a big race stretching out to a distance he is perfect at.

Killin Me Smalls, by Marcavelly

Last 3 Beyers: 71-74-63

◗ He finished third sprinting in both his starts this year, including the Journal. Ernie Keller put the blinkers back on him for the Journal, so it was a bit surprising not to see him in the mix early.

◗ A multiple Grade 3 winner with 20 wins and $666,465 in earnings, he can be tough to get past when he gets his head in front early. There isn’t a lot of pure speed in the field, and he could be the one they have to run down from post 2 with his usual rider Keishan Balgobin aboard.

Born in a Breeze, by Leonnatus Anteas

Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-80

◗ Trained by Tom Rycroft, he was running on a bullring for the first time when he almost caught Trooper John in the Journal.