Salsa Express set for 75th career start Friday
At age 10, Salsa Express continues to be a gem of consistency, compiling a 2-3-3 record from eight starts at Northlands Park this year. She will be looking for her 26th career win when she makes her 75th start in a $12,500 claiming race that will be featured Friday evening at Northlands. The one-mile race for fillies and mares drew six horses and goes as race 5 on an eight-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Mountain.
Trained by Ernie Keller, Salsa Express is taking a significant drop in class after being the runner-up to Truvi in a $25,000 optional-claiming race Sept. 7. Salsa Express chased pacesetter Star Lady before being overwhelmed by Truvi, who romped by 6 1/4 lengths. Truvi was winning her second straight race following a runner-up finish in the $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff on Aug. 14.
The last time Salsa Express ran at this level, she was an easy 6 1/2-length winner at the same distance just over a year ago. She has good tactical speed and should get a nice trip from a stalking position.
The Idaho-bred daughter of Tavasco will break from the inside post, with Tony Maragh retaining the mount.
Lillie Abbie is going for the hat trick following back-to-back wins in $8,000 claiming races for trainer Jim Meyaard. Claimed by trainer Garry Marks out of her half-length win over D’wildcat Gold on Sept. 30, Lillie Abbie is the one they will have to run down if she breaks alertly with Scott Williams riding.
KEY CONTENDERS
Salsa Express (Last 3 Beyers: 61-66-60)
◗ It is hard not to like this classy mare, who hasn’t finished worse than third in her last 13 starts and has earned more than $350,000 while compiling an enviable 25-21-16 record from 74 starts.
◗ She is the class of the field, owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, and should be tough to handle if she runs her usual race.
Lillie Abbie (Last 3 Beyers: 59-58-53)
◗ The 7-year-old mare can be a tough horse to get past when she has things her own way, and she could be gone unless Tempered Sky displays some of the speed she has shown in the past.
D’wildcat Gold (Last 3 Beyers: 58-50-64)
◗ Trained by Deanna Walper, she was the runner-up in her last three starts, the last two behind Lillie Abbie, and should be included in any exotics ticket.