Silkworm makes rare non-stakes start

Silkworm will face considerably easier company when she drops into an optional $25,000 claiming race at Northlands Park on Friday. The one-mile race for fillies and mares who have never won three races drew seven horses and headlines a nine-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Mountain.

The first three races Friday are for 2-year-old Quarter Horses going 330 yards.

Trained by Tim Rycroft, Silkworm has been up against it while facing Saturday Nite Ride in her first three starts this year. Saturday Nite Ride has dominated the local female division over the past two years. Silkworm had the misfortune of facing her in an optional $35,000 claimer in her first start at the meet and was overmatched when she tried Saturday Nite Ride again in the Wild Rose and John Patrick stakes.

Other than in her first start at the meet, Silkworm has raced exclusively in stakes since she won her debut as a 2-year-old in 2012. Her only win since then came in the $50,000 Freedom of the City in October 2012.

Silkworm has been paying her way, though. She finished second in four straight stakes at Hastings and Northlands last year and has earned $97,535 for owners Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.

Silkworm drew the rail, and Ismael Mosqueira likely will put her into the race right from the start.

The main threat appears to be Mia Isabel, who is coming off a second-place finish at this level going six furlongs. Trained by Rod Cone, Mia Isabel has won 4 of 5 starts in two-turn, one-mile races and could be dangerous going the same distance while trying three turns for the first time.