Tempo Five takes shot at stakes

Tempo Five takes a step up in class when he faces facing nine others in the $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial on Sunday evening at Presque Isle Downs.

Trained by Tom Amoss, Tempo Five has won both of his starts this year and closed out his 2008 campaign with a victory over this oval. In his first start this year, Tempo Five won a $50,000 claiming event at Keeneland April 10, earning a lifetime-high Beyer Speed Figure of 99. In his last out, May 15 at Arlington Park, Tempo Five won an optional claiming race by a head. Both races were at six furlongs, a sixteenth longer than the 5 1/2-furlong Boyes Memorial.

"He is 3 for 3 over the Presque Isle course and 6 for 7 over synthetic surfaces," said Amoss. "A lot of that is that we we're able to get him in the right spot. This is a big step up, but I feel like he is ready for it."

In his final start of 2008, Tempo Five won a starter allowance by a neck over Presque Isle's synthetic Tapeta surface at the same 5 1/2 furlongs as the Boyes.

"He has come back well after we gave him time off after last year," Amoss said. "The layoff really was a benefit to him."

Tempo Five drew the outside post in the field of 10, but that does not concern Amoss.

"Usually going 5 1/2 furlongs the 10 post would be a concern, but on this track the outside doesn't seem to be a problem," he said. "We are lucky that Tempo Five has tactical speed, a great ability that lets you do what you want with him."

Dale Beckner, who has been aboard for two of Tempo Five's Presque Isle wins, will ride once again.

"Dale fits him well," said Amoss. "He is a great guy to judge what he will need to do once the gate opens, whether it be lay back off the pace or go with them, depending on how it sets up."

There should be plenty of speed to run at as the speedsters Street Magician and Man of Danger drew the two posts nearest the rail.