Spectrus, Deadly Truth find a softer spot

Spectrus and Deadly Truth look like the main players in an optional $35,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up at Northlands Park on Saturday.

The one-mile race drew six horses and goes as the second of nine races. Post time for the first race is 1 p.m. Mountain.

Both Spectrus and Deadly Truth will appreciate the class relief after not being able to keep up in stakes in their last starts.

Spectrus, trained by Rod Cone, finished a distant fourth behind For Cash and Commander in the $55,000 Fred Jones here on July 19.

Deadly Truth didn’t run a jump when trainer Tim Rycroft shipped him to Assiniboia Downs to run in the $30,000 Wheat City Handicap, won by Balooga Bill on July 16.

Race 2

KEY CONTENDERS

Spectrus (Last 3 Beyers: 65-71-63)

◗ He ran a big race with leading apprentice Damario Bynoe riding when he finished second to For Cash at this same level July 5. A similar effort could make him the winner. Bynoe, who picks up the mount from Heribert Martinez, was also aboard for Spectrus’s win in an optional $25,000 claiming sprint June 7.

Deadly Truth (Last 3 Beyers: 39-76-0)

◗ He came from a stalking position to win a one-mile optional $25,000 claiming race prior to his dull effort in Winnipeg. He has decent tactical speed and could get the jump on Spectrus.

Real Dingo (Last 3 Beyers: 57-69-72)

◗ This Red Smith trainee really doesn’t want to sprint, and he comes into his first route of the year off a couple of sharp efforts going six and 6 1/2 furlongs. A deep closer, he should have an honest pace to work with. He attracts leading rider Rico Walcott, who was aboard when he won a one-mile $25,000 claiming race in his final start of 2013.

◗ Formulator Fact: The past five years Smith has an 18 percent strike rate with horses going from a route to a sprint. The figure increases to 21 percent with Walcott riding.

Aces Again (Last 3 Beyers: 40-61-55)

◗ Make it the last four Beyers, and the 88 he received for his win in the $53,000 Harvest Gold Plate stands out. Trained by Amanda Gregory, he just hasn’t fired in three starts this year but he could be dangerous if he can shake loose early with Mario Velazquez in the irons.