Stephanson should get a nice setup at Northlands

Stephanson will try and start another winning streak when he drops a notch to run in the feature race at Northlands Park on Friday. The 6 1/2-furlong $22,000 claiming race drew 10 older horses and goes as the seventh race.

Trained by Cody Anderson, Stephanson had his three-race winning streak snapped when he finished fourth as the lukewarm favorite in a $30,000 claiming race on July 29. Prior to his loss he won for $13,000 on June 13, dead-heated with Power Shift on July 3, and beat Power Shift for $22,000 on July 17. A fast and contested pace is expected on Friday, and Stephanson figures to get a perfect stalking trip with Jake Barton aboard.

Colombiano, trained by Jim Meyaard, is also a three-time winner at the meet. He has regressed after each win, however, and he is coming off of a sharp score for $17,500 on July 22. Rickey Walcott will ride Colombiano.

There are plenty of possibilities in what appears to be a wide-open event.

Market Force is dropping after an improved effort in the same race Stephanson exits. After forcing the issue early he held on well to finish third.

Garys Buddy, a stakes winner last year, figures to improve in his second start back from a layoff. He ran an even race to finish fifth in the common race July 29.

Power Shift comes into the race with solid form and the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure. Following his loss to Stephanson on July 17 he ran a big race to finish second behind Salt Flat Speed for this price on July 31. He came back to work a sharp half-mile and he appears to be set for another solid performance.