Salt Flat Speed outsprints Journal rivals

Salt Flat Speed, ridden by Rico Walcott, earned his first stakes win in the $50,000 Journal Handicap at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Sent off as the odds-on favorite, Salt Flat Speed battled for the early lead between horses going into the first turn. He emerged with the lead coming out of the turn and was responsible for the half-mile split of 46.40 seconds. He opened up a three-length lead at the top of the stretch and then easily held off the late-running Inuit Fisher to win by 2 1/2 lengths while completing six furlongs in 1:12.00.

Salt Flat Speed, ($3.40) is trained by Jim Meyaard for Side Management Ltd. and Starline Thoroughbreds.