Power Jam back from layoff in optional claimer

DEL MAR, Calif. – Power Jam, a dazzling winner in his lone start in February, returns Sunday in race 7, a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer that drew a strong field for the level.

Despite the nearly nine-month layoff, Power Jam is expected to be favored due to his big debut win, defeating maidens by 4 1/4 lengths going six furlongs at Santa Anita and earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“I think he’ll run well,” trainer Bob Baffert said Friday.

Baffert said Power Jam got time off because he was “all jammed up” after his first race.

Power Jam has turned in a sharp series of works for his return, and two of his last three drills have been the best of the day at the distance.

His rivals include the hard-knocking $40,000 claimer Oligarch, a winner of 8 of 37 lifetime, and Golden Atlantic, who like Power Jam is a 3-year-old using his first-level allowance condition.

Golden Atlantic scored a front-running win on dirt Oct. 12 at Santa Anita in his second start after losing a turf sprint at Del Mar in his debut. He wore blinkers in his first race, but they were removed for his second start.

“I thought he’d win by daylight his first time, but when he made the lead, he stayed even, like he was waiting on horses,” said trainer Mark Glatt. “We were pretty high on him. We thought he’d like the grass, being by Stormy Atlantic, but [jockey Flavien Prat] said he didn’t accelerate like he had in his works on dirt. Maybe with the blinkers on, it was like being bull-rushed before he could react.”