Ready Racer steps up in search of third straight win

Ready Racer will be shooting for the hat trick when he runs in the $35,000 optional-claiming race that headlines the eight-race card Saturday at Northlands Park.

With plenty of speed in the six-furlong sprint, which drew five horses, it should set up perfectly for Ready Racer, who does his best running late.

Trained by Dale Saunders, Ready Racer is taking a big step up after winning back-to-back $17,500 claiming races and earning average Beyer Speed Figures. Nonetheless, the 9-year-old has plenty of back class to handle the assignment. The multiple stakes winner was the champion sprinter in Alberta in 2012 and 2013, and he obviously is coming into Saturday’s race in top form.

Leading rider Rico Walcott retains the mount.

Saunders also will be represented by Wild Legend, who is seeking to find his proper level as an older horse. The homebred son of Gold Legend closed out his sophomore campaign with three blowout wins, including a 17 1/2-length romp over Alberta-breds in the Beaufort Stakes.

In his only start as an older horse, he finished seventh in the $53,000 Journal Handicap won by Killin Me Smalls on May 18.

Swiss Idol, trained by Rick Wise, also is going for a hat trick after winning $25,000 optional-claiming races July 1 and 18.

The speed of the speed is Red Red Rose, who set quick fractions before giving way late to Swiss Idol on July 1.

Key contenders

Ready Racer (Last 3 Beyers: 58-50-24)

* The class of the party, he should appreciate what figures to be a fast and contested pace.

Swiss Idol (Last 3 Beyers: 74-67-46)

* As evidenced by his rising Beyers, he obviously is trending in the right direction since being claimed by Wise for $17,500 on June 17.

* His tactical speed could give him a slight edge over Ready Racer.

Red Red Rose (Last 3 Beyers: 64-58-74)

* He looks like the one they will have to catch, and he took them a long way as the heavy favorite before losing to Swiss Idol by a length in his latest start.

* He may have been trying to tell us something when he came back to work a bullet five furlongs July 21.

Wild Legend (Last 3 Beyers: 60-72-86)

* He probably wants more distance but will appreciate the class relief after not being able to keep up in a quickly run renewal of the Journal in his only start this year.