R Valentino faces older in sprint feature
R Valentino will get tested for class when he runs in a $25,000 optional-claiming race at Northlands Park on Monday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew nine horses and headlines the Heritage Day card that begins at 1 p.m. Mountain.
The only 3-year-old in the field, R Valentino made short work of his competition in his first two starts at the meet. Trained by Ken Tingle, he was pressured early before winning a maiden special weight race with Rico Walcott aboard June 13. He took a huge step forward in his second start, setting fast fractions before pulling away to win a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and up by 11 1/2 lengths July 11.
R Valentino is facing a salty group of older horses, and either Tigger Town or Bear’s Reality will put pressure on him right from the start. It will be interesting to see if he is up to the test after he breaks from post No. 3 with Walcott retaining the mount.
If the speed collapses, and it could, Tiz Awesome could pick up the pieces. Trained by Tim Rycroft, he faded after chasing a quick pace in the 1 1/16-mile Fred Jones Handicap on July 18, but he won his only sprint this year and could get a nice trip from a stalking position.
Rycroft also entered Bear’s Reality, who will ensure a fast pace and could be gone if he can get the jump on the other speed.
Key Contenders
R Valentino (Last 3 Beyers: 70-59-6)
* The vastly improved 3-year-old couldn’t have been more impressive when he toyed with an overmatched group of first-level allowance horses in his second start this year and may not have reached his peak.
Tiz Awesome (Last 3 Beyers: 44-77-64)
* He was too eager when he raced in blinkers for the first time in the Fred Jones, and Rycroft didn’t waste any time taking them off. He should get a cozy trip from the inside post, and considering that both of his wins came sprinting, he should appreciate the cutback in distance.
Go Max (Last 3 Beyers: 69-64-67)
* Trained by Joan Petrowski, he probably wants more distance, but there will be speed coming back to him, and he could get up in time if things go his way.
True Thought (Last 3 Beyers: 64-64-55)
* Third in his last two starts at this level; anything trained by Ernie Keller, who is winning at a 30 percent clip at the meet, must be respected.