Salsa Express brings consistency to claiming sprint

The classy 10-year-old mare Salsa Express will likely be favored when she goes for her 25th win in the seventh race Wednesday evening at Northlands Park. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew seven fillies and mares running for a claiming price of $25,000. Post time for the first of eight races is 6:30 p.m. Mountain.

Trained by Ernie Keller, Salsa Express has compiled an impressive 24-19-13 record from 68 starts and apparently is as good as ever. She looked good winning a $17,500 claiming race in her first start this year on May 1 and then came from a stalking position to finish second in a $25,000 claiming race May 22.

The versatile Idaho-bred figures to get a nice trip stalking what could be a lively and contested pace with Tony Maragh aboard.

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Considering that she has finished worse than third only once in 15 starts at the distance, at the very least she should be part of any exotics ticket.

Eyes Her Man will appreciate the easier company after fading in the $53,700 Wild Rose Handicap in her second start at Northlands for trainer Robert Kingston.

The Ontario-bred 4-year-old was a sharp winner going 3 1/2 furlongs in a $35,000 optional-claiming race in her first start on dirt. Previously, she did all of her running over Polytrack at Woodbine, where she used her good speed to win a couple of races, the last one coming Oct. 8 in a $20,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two.

KEY CONTENDERS

Salsa Express (Last 3 Beyers: 68-58-51)

◗ It is hard not to like a horse that has been part of the trifecta in 56 of 68 starts. Beginning in Boise in 2008, she has been a gem of consistency throughout her career, and it is easy to imagine another solid performance from her Wednesday.

◗ The shape of the race also should favor her running style, and the 68 Beyer Speed Figure she earned in her latest is easily the best last-race figure in the field.

Eyes Her Man (Last 3 Beyers: 19-65-54)

She understandably faded after chasing a wicked pace in the Wild Rose and could take them a long way if she breaks alertly with Scott Williams retaining the mount.

Brady’s Tomboy (Last 3 Beyers: 48-25-59)

◗ Trained by Dale Saunders, she tailed off after winning back-to-back stakes last fall and probably wants more distance. Nonetheless, she figures to move forward in her second start following a layoff, and it is encouraging to see leading rider Rico Walcott keep the faith.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Northlands, Walcott has won with 28 percent of his mounts from Saunders.