Real Quality to get real test in Count Lathum

Real Quality won his last two starts at Northlands Park by a combined 26 3/4 lengths. His connections will find out if he’s the real deal when he takes on Trooper John in the $50,000 Count Lathum Handicap at Northlands on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds shares the spotlight with the $50,000 Northlands Oaks, where Anstrum figures to be a short price in the one-mile contest for 3-year-old fillies that drew seven horses.

Trained by Dale Saunders, Real Quality looked comfortable sitting just off the speed before completely dominating his opponents in his last two starts. He was stretching out to a middle distance when he romped in a one-mile maiden special weight June 21, and he drew off at the six-furlong mark in a first-level allowance going the same distance July 1.

Saunders is hoping Real Quality can take his game to the next level, and the son of Divine Park has the pedigree to be a decent horse. His 5-year-old half-sister, Picture Day, won the Videogenic Stakes at Aqueduct on April 1, and his 4-year-old half-brother, Sugar Buzz, won the Robert Dupret Derby on the Santa Rosa turf course last year.

“He didn’t beat much in his last two races, so this will be a good test for him,” said Saunders. “He’s a nice horse, and he’s still green. I think he’ll keep coming on, and he’ll run from anywhere you put him.”

Real Quality will break from post 7 in the 10-horse field, with leading rider Rico Walcott retaining the mount.

With four straight stakes wins, Trooper John is the class of the field. Trained by Tim Rycroft, he will also run from anywhere. He forced the issue when he won the one-mile Canadian Juvenile in his last start as a 2-year-old. He rallied to win the Western Canada going six furlongs, and he also finished full of run in the one-mile Ky Alta. Prior to his win in the Canadian Juvenile, he got up in the last jump to win the Winnipeg Futurity at Assiniboia Downs.

Trooper John worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.40 seconds on June 30 and appears to be primed for another strong effort.

“He felt good after his work,” said Rycroft. “It’s a big field, and I would just like to see him have a clean trip for a change.”

Trooper John drew post 5, with Keishan Balgobin retaining the mount.

Fall At Last, trained by Greg Tracy, owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, an 80 earned for his third-place finish in the $50,000 River Rock Casino at Hastings on June 24. He undoubtedly will be the one they have to run down.

Bar No Q, second in the Ky Alta, should keep Fall At Last honest.

The winner of the Count Lathum will be the local favorite to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Canadian Derby on Aug. 19.

Anstrum looks tough in Oaks

If Anstrum runs as well as she did in winning the R.K. (Red) Smith in her first start at Northlands, she will be tough to beat in the Oaks. With Balgobin aboard, the daughter of Rosberg came from a stalking position to win the one-mile race by 4 1/4 lengths.

“She seems good,” said trainer Monica Russell. “She’s eating well, training well, and had a good work. She’s just a happy horse right now.”

Anstrum drew post 5, with Balgobin retaining the mount.

Ruffenuff could be the main threat. Trained by Greg Tracy, Ruffenuff had never finished behind a horse prior to her fifth-place finish in the Red Smith. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Dialed In wants to be involved early, and she faded badly after chasing a fast pace in her last start.

She could be dangerous if she can clear early after breaking from the outside post with Quincy Welch riding.