Purple Heaven looks sharp for sprint

Purple Heaven, an easy winner in his initial start as a sophomore, could be ready for another big effort when he runs in a first-level allowance race that will serve as the featured race Saturday at Northlands Park. The six-furlong sprint drew six horses, with Purple Heaven the one to catch and beat.

Trained by Twylla Bensmiller, Purple Heaven was good enough to finish in front of Blue Dancer in the Edmonton Juvenile last year. However, he was disqualified to fifth for drifting in midstretch and causing a chain reaction among horses closer to the rail. Blue Dancer went on to win the $50,000 Winnipeg Futurity at Assiniboia Downs and the $75,000 Ascot Graduation at Hastings. He also made the lead and was second by a head after six furlongs before fading in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Purple Heaven is facing easier company Saturday, and Bensmiller likes the way he has matured over the winter.

“We gave him some time off, and it did him a world of good,” she said. “He grew up a lot, and he was actually pretty impressive in his race at Turf Paradise.”

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Purple Heaven broke sharply from the rail and was under pressure for the first quarter-mile April 7 at Turf Paradise before taking control at the half-mile call in the six-furlong, $30,000 optional maiden-claiming race. He opened up a six-length lead at the eighth pole and cruised to a decisive three-length victory.

He drew the outside post and will be ridden by Rico Walcott for the first time. Walcott dominated the jockey standings at Northlands last year.

KEY CONTENDERS

Purple Heaven (Last 3 Beyers: 55-45-39)

Following his win in Arizona, he came back with a sharp half-mile move with Bensmiller aboard April 23 at Northlands.

“I wasn’t sure who was going to ride him, so I just wanted to show him off a bit,” she said.

She got the right jockey. Walcott won with 40 percent of his mounts from her barn last year.

Eight Ender (Last 3 Beyers: 38-64-38)

Trained by Robertino Diodoro, he owns the best Beyer Speed Figure in the field, a 64, and he’s had a couple of decent works since arriving at Northlands.

Casa Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 51-27-56)

He was claimed out of a winning race at Fair Grounds by trainer Greg Tracy, who, according to DRF Formulator, has a 23 percent strike rate while running them back the first time.