Ravalo should appreciate distance cutback

There will be a need for speed at Presque Isle Downs on Wednesday.

The track will be the site of the $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial at 5 1/2 furlongs. The 6-year-old Ravalo will try to win his second Karl Boyes in three years.

In four attempts over the Presque Isle Tapeta surface, Ravalo has won the 2008 edition of the Karl Boyes Memorial as well as first- and second-level allowance events. In his most recent outing May 15, Ravalo finished third, beaten a length, in the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Handicap, a six-furlong event he won a year ago. Two outings ago, Ravalo set the pace before tiring and finishing last in the Grade 2 Commonwealth at Keeneland April 10.

A turn-back to the 5 1/2-furlong Karl Boyes should be to his benefit. Sheldon Russell will ride Ravalo for trainer Don Barr.

Should Ravalo not bring his "A" game, Country Day will be tough. The 4-year-old Country Day won the Hot Springs at Oaklawn Park March 20. In his last out May 1, Country Day was well beaten in the Grade 2 Churchill going seven furlongs over a sloppy track.

Country Day's lifetime-high Beyer Speed Figure of 105 came in his only attempt at 5 1/2 furlongs at the Fair Grounds last December. Regular rider Brian Hernandez gets a leg up.

Others in the eight-horse field are Teenage Distress, Music City, Agastache, Sneaking Uponyou, Heart of a King, and Goldzar.