Smokey Image looms large in Cavonnier Juvenile
SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Two dominant wins at Pleasanton to start his career send Smokey Image into Sunday’s $50,000 Cavonnier Juvenile at Santa Rosa as an overwhelming favorite. The six-furlong race for 2-year-olds drew a field of seven. Sunday’s card brings down the curtain on the Sonoma County Fair. The Northern California racing scene now splits, with action moving to the Humboldt County Fair (Ferndale) and Golden Gate Fields, both of which open next Friday.
Owned by Betty and Robert G. Irvin and trained by Greg James, Smokey Image was terrific in the first two starts of his career. He debuted at Pleasanton on June 21 and blew the start in that five-furlong event but still took over in the lane and drew off to win by five lengths. He next went in Pleasanton’s Everett Nevin on July 5, pressed the pace in that 5 1/2-furlong test, quickly assumed command after a quarter-mile, and drew off to win by 6 1/2 lengths. Juan Hernandez, up for both starts, keeps the mount.
Algenon, owned by Rozamund Barclay and trained by Len Kasmerski, won his debut at Pleasanton on June 26 and was then third in the Everett Nevin, beaten eight lengths by Smokey Image.
Dr. Crabby invades from Southern California. Owned by Gem Inc. and trained by David Hofmans, he dueled and edged clear to win his debut over $30,000 maiden claimers at Del Mar on July 30.
KEY CONTENDERS
Smokey Image (Beyers: 76-69)
◗ He had his big maiden win at Pleasanton flattered when Cavonnier Juvenile rival Yes I’m Wild, who ran second that day, came right back to win.
◗ He doesn’t figure to have any issue with the added ground as sire Southern Image was a Grade 1 winner from seven furlongs to 1 1/4 miles and broodmare sire Free House was a Grade 1 winner at up to 1 1/4 miles.
◗ He showed that he holds his edge with four solid works since the Everett Nevin.
Algenon (Beyers: 53-58)
◗ He might get better as the furlongs add up as he’s by top-class turf miler Aragorn.
◗ He gets the services of top rider Russell Baze, who rode three others in here in their most recent outings.
Dr. Crabby (Beyer: 52)
◗ He blew the start in his debut at Del Mar on July 30 but still had the speed to duel for the lead by the first margin call and had the courage to win that duel and draw off in the lane.
◗ He has worked well since his maiden win, and it’s most encouraging that Hofmans, who won with his only other starter here this meet, brings him back without a tag attached.