Overbay seeks clean break at Northlands

Overbay could be the one to beat in a well-matched field of 3-year-olds running in a first-level allowance race that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Northlands Park. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew eight horses and will go as race 7 on the eight-race card that begins at 1 p.m.

Trainer Craig Smith could have the favorite in Overbay who finished behind a couple of horses also entered, Slews Academy and Jackman, in a six-furlong, first-level allowance race July 7. Overbay had more than one excuse, though. He broke a couple of steps slow and after making up a lot of the ground he lost at the start, he had to steady on the stretch turn. Overbay showed good tactical speed in his other two starts and with no real confirmed front-runner in the field, he could be dangerous if he breaks alertly with Anthony Salgado retaining the mount.

Jackman, trained by Dale Saunders, also had a rough trip. Leaving from the outside post in the nine-horse field, he was forced extremely wide on the first turn and then had a hard time finding running room in the stretch.

Slews Academy didn’t exactly leave the starting gate under a full head of steam and after trailing the leaders by 16 lengths at the half-mile pole, he made a huge run to finish second. It was his first start for trainer Garry Marks who claimed him for $25,000 for Darcy Peterson out of his previous start.

Trainer Jim Meyaard, who has won at a 39 percent clip at the meet, has entered Juan Might who is coming off of win in a maiden special weight race June 12. Juan Might has some speed, and this is an excellent spot to use it.