Rhone sends trio in John Bullit

Bernell Rhone is optimistic about winning the $50,000 John Bullit at Canterbury Park on Sunday. Rhone brings three horses with different strengths to the 1 1/16-mile stakes race on the turf.

“I’m stacking them up this race,” Rhone said. “I like my chances.”

Rhone saddles Heza Wild Guy, who likes to run on the front end, and Chiphunter and Gesundheit, who come from off the pace.

Heza Wild Guy has won 5 of his last 11 starts. His most recent win came against Indiana-bred company in the A.J. Foyt at Indiana Downs on July 14.

“Heza Wild Guy is a winning machine lately,” Rhone said.

Chip Hunter is coming off a strong effort in the Claiming Crown Emerald at Canterbury. He finished fourth, beaten by 2 1/2 lengths, in the 1 1/16-mile tur race. His last victory came six races back in a Tampa starter handicap in March.

Gesundheit hasn’t raced since finishing seventh in the Brooks Fields at Canterbury at June 5. He won an allowance going 7 1/2 furlongs at Canterbury Park on May 23, defeating Heza Wild Guy.

“He is a little inconsistent,” Rhone said. “It’s not a physical thing, it’s mental. He’s competitive when he wants to be. I think that someday he’ll turn it around.”

The Rhone threesome takes on four others, headed by Hype, winner of the Brooks Fields Stakes.

w Also at Canterbury on Sunday is the $35,000 Brian Barenscheer Juvenile, which matches six 2-year-olds going 5 1/2 furlongs.

Trainer Rafael Flores has shipped in Thewayitusedtobe from Chicago for the race. Thewayitusedtobe is coming off a win in an Illinois-bred maiden special weight at Arlington Park on July 17.

He was disqualified from win in a similar race at Arlington on June 4 for a clenbuterol positive, which Flores said was the result of a change in the testing procedures that necessitated a greater withdrawal time. Between those maiden races, he finished sixth and last in the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs.

“He should be good enough to beat this field,” Flores said.