Peery horse steps up

SAN MATEO, Calif ? Justnowayofknowin', a game winner in a first-level allowance test here last out, steps up on Sunday to face a tough band of allowance performers. The one-mile feature offers a purse of $34,000 and drew a field of 10.

Justnowayofknowin', trained by Chuck Peery, rallied from just off the pace here on Oct. 8 in a one-mile race to score a one-length victory. It was his first win of the year after he finished second four times in his prior five starts. That race was his first this season at a mile and he appears in top form.

Justnowayofknowin' steps into a very competitive spot on Sunday, with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer sending out a pair that appear to be the major threats. At the Dock and High Honor will represent the Hollendorfer barn in Sunday's feature, and both are capable of winning at this level.

At the Dock is a lightly raced 3-year-old son of Desert Secret. He has made only three starts thus far in his career and has two wins and a fourth to his credit, all at six furlongs. He scored in his career debut against $50,000 maidens in February at Golden Gate Fields. He was off until August, when he returned to finish fourth in an allowance sprint. Last out on Sept. 27, At the Dock closed strongly for a neck decision, and he will be stretching out to a mile around two turns for the first time on Sunday.

High Honor spent the summer in Chicago, scoring there in a $35,000 claiming race and finishing fourth in his last two tries at Arlington Park in allowance company. High Honor has posted five wins in his career and seems at his best at the one mile distance.

El Curioso and Timber Baron are both shipping up from Southern California and should find this company a bit easier then they have been facing.