Sharp horse can step up

Salt Flat Speed might be good enough to handle the substantial step up in class he is taking when he runs in the feature race at Northlands Park on Friday. The 6o1/2-furlong sprint for older horses running for a top claiming price of $22,000 drew eight horses and goes as the seventh race.

Salt Flat Speed is coming off a 10o1/2-length romp over $10,000 claimers going six furlongs on July 17, and the 84 Beyer Speed Figure he posted is easily the best last-race figure in the field. On the same day, Power Shift, who is also entered, finished second in a $22,000 claiming race. Considering the fractions and final times, Salt Flat Speed ran a much better race. He led from start to finish posting fractions of 23.40 seconds, 46.60, with a final time of 1:11.80.

In the Power Shift race won by Stephanson, the fractions weren't as quick and the six-furlong split of 1:12.80 was a full second slower.

In three starts at the meet, Power Shift has finished first once and second twice. He also gets in light with apprentice rider Omer Moreno at 107 pounds.

Blackcomb Run will be gunning for his fourth straight win. He steps up in class after winning a $10,000 claimer by nine lengths.