Quick and Silver looks to give Russell barn a repeat in Journal Handicap

Trainer Monica Russell thinks she has a good chance of winning the $50,000 Journal Handicap for the second straight year Saturday at Northlands Park.

In 2017, she won the six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up with the Peter Redekop-owned Annie’s Candy. Quick and Silver will represent Russell and Redekop in this year’s renewal, and he could be tough to get past if he gets the jump on his six rivals coming out of the gate.

The 7-year-old Florida-bred drew inside of the other speed, Killin Me Smalls and Blue Dancer, and he is coming off a runner-up finish going 6 1/2-furlongs in the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural on April 22 at Hastings. He also has considerably better credentials than Annie’s Candy, who had just three wins going into the Journal last year.

“What I like about him is that he has 14 wins going six furlongs,” Russell said. “He has also trained super since he arrived here.”

All but one of his 15 wins came on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields, including a victory in the Lost in the Fog Stakes last year. Nonetheless, he earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory on dirt in a $62,500 optional-claiming race at Pleasanton in 2016, and he held on well in the Swift despite dueling through quick fractions with Modern.

Quick and Silver will break from post 5 with Quincy Welch riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Quick and Silver, by Dunkirk

Last 3 Beyers: 73-86-82

◗ He will appreciate the slight cutback in distance, and his bullet five-furlong move out of the gate in 59.40 seconds May 9 is a strong indication he won’t have any trouble handling the local surface.

Trooper John, by Colonel John

Last 3 Beyers: 72-75-78

◗ Trained by Tim Rycroft, he was the top 3-year-old at Northlands in 2017, and he can stalk what should be a fast and contested pace.

◗ In his only start this year, he dead-heated for third in the Swift Inaugural.

◗ He indicated his readiness with a sizzling half-mile move in 45.20 on May 13 at Northlands.

“He’s doing well, and I just wanted to sharpen him up a bit,” Rycroft said.

Killin Me Smalls, by Marcavally

Last 3 Beyers: 74-63-64

◗ The Ernie Keller-trained 8-year-old has dominated the older handicap division at Northlands since 2015, and he will likely be involved early with the blinkers going back on following a third-place finish behind Blue Dancer in his first start this year.

Blue Dancer, by Bluegrass Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 79-43-38

◗ Trained by Greg Tracy, he is perfect in five starts at the distance and looked good winning his first start of the year.

◗ The shape of the race might not work for him, but it could for his stablemate Hemlock Channel, who holds the track record for 6 1/2 furlongs at Northlands.