Pioneer Spirit fresh for Sunday allowance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Pioneer Spirit will get a chance to avenge his only loss from his last four starts when he takes on Harlan Punch and three others in a third-level allowance/optional $80,000 claiming race that serves as Sunday’s feature at Aqueduct.

Pioneer Spirit, claimed for $35,000 last October by trainer Brad Cox for Steve Landers, won an allowance race on turf Nov. 24. On Dec. 23, back on dirt, Pioneer Spirit was stalking Harlan Punch but could not go with him when the running started at the quarter pole. Room tightened up on Pioneer Spirit in upper stretch when Gift Box rallied outside of him, and Pioneer Spirit finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Harlan Punch and Gift Box.

“He didn’t quit that day,” Cox said. “He did continue on; may have been beaten by two better horses that day.”

On Jan. 13, Pioneer Spirit came back to romp by 6 1/4 lengths in a second-level allowance for which he earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. He was entered against Harlan Punch on Feb. 2 but was scratched.

“He wasn’t quite where we felt like he needed to be mentally at the time in order to run a big race,” Cox said. “He had run such a big race last time, and we felt a little more time between starts would be beneficial.”

Harlan Punch finished third in that Feb. 2 race but came back Feb. 15 to win a high-priced optional claimer by 1 1/4 lengths going 1 1/4 miles. David Jacobson, the trainer and owner of Harlan Punch, is now cutting him back to a one-turn mile.

“That’s all we got,” Jacobson said. “I wish it was a mile and a quarter, mile and a half.”

Jacobson will also send out Wake Up in Malibu, who is being offered for the $80,000 claiming tag. Wake Up in Malibu is coming off a front-running victory in a $40,000 claimer going a one-turn mile here Feb. 19.

The New York-breds Papa Shot, who has competed in six consecutive stakes, and Haul Anchor, who has gone off form since winning two restricted stakes here last winter, complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Pioneer Spirit, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 106-95-93

◗ The Jan. 13 race he dominated has proved to be a productive race, with runner-up Flash Trading and third-place finisher Very Very Stella each winning his next start. T R Crew, fourth that day, won his second start after that race here last Sunday.

◗ After running back in four weeks and then three weeks, he will have had 50 days between his last start and this one.

Harlan Punch, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 94-88-89

◗ Cuts back from 1 1/4 miles to a one-turn mile, a configuration at which he has won three times from his last four tries.

◗ Could get pace help from Wake Up in Malibu, his stablemate, who may run with Pioneer Spirit early.