Tiny Giant could edge Petrowski closer to 1,000th career win
Trainer Joan Petrowski is just three wins shy of 1,000 for her career, and she has an excellent chance of moving one race closer when she runs Tiny Giant in a $35,000 optional-claiming race at Northlands on Friday. Tiny Giant is coming off back-to-back wins in stakes races and should be favored in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, which drew six horses.
With Ruben Lara aboard, Tiny Giant came from a stalking position to upset the Sun Sprint Championship on Aug. 4. It was his first win this year, and following the race, Petrowski freshened him up a bit. She brought him back in the $48,620 Red Diamond Express, restricted to Alberta-breds, on Sept. 20, and with Rico Walcott picking up the mount, he forced a quick pace before taking control on the stretch turn in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.
Walcott retains the mount and likely will have Tiny Giant sitting not too far off Tigger Town, who will be the one they have to catch.
KEY CONTENDERS
Tiny Giant (Last 3 Beyers: 85-78-82)
◗ The 7-year-old Alberta-bred gelding has never been better, and he should get a nice trip from a stalking position.
Ready Racer (Last 3 Beyers: 83-65-69)
◗ Trained by Dale Saunders, he was the local sprint champion the previous two years, and he appears to be rounding into form, with a sharp win in a $25,000 optional-claiming race Sept. 5.
◗ There should be an honest pace to set up his good late move.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Saunders has a 23 percent strike rate with horses who won their previous race.
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Tigger Town (Last 3 Beyers: 78-75-43)
◗ He is the speed of the speed and could be sitting on a big race in the third start of his current form cycle.
◗ This will be his first start since he finished second as the heavy favorite in a $35,000 optional-claiming race Sept. 1.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, trainer Greg Tracy has won 33 percent of his races with horses returning at Northlands off a layoff of 31 to 60 days.
Killin Me Smalls (Last 3 Beyers: 78-78-88)
◗ Trained by Ernie Keller, he didn’t get beat by much when he finished fourth going 1 1/8 miles in the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate at Hastings on Sept. 14, and he shouldn’t mind the move back to a distance at which he has won 2 of 3 starts.