Tommy Danzigger takes a shot at Teide

There is a short field of four horses for the $50,000 John Longden 6000 Sunday, and the presence of Teide is the main reason for that.

Trainer Rob Gilker has entered Tommy Danzigger, but he wasn't overly optimistic about his chances. Tommy Danzigger, who won the Grade 3 Canadian Derby last year, will appreciate stretching out to 1 1/16 miles after finishing second behind Teide in the 6 1/2-furlong George Royal.

Tommy Danzigger can be a tough horse to get past when he makes the lead. He led from start to finish in his two stakes wins last year, including the B.C. Cup Stellar's Jay.

"Don't get me wrong," said Gilker. "I like my horse and he needs to go long. But he was beating 3-year-olds last year and he is going to have a monster named Teide breathing all over him on Sunday. Compare the Beyer Figures and it looks like we're all in pretty tough. We're here to run, though, and we'll certainly give it our best shot."

Actually, the Beyers are reasonably close. Teide earned a 99 Beyer for his win in the George Royal and has a career best of 100. Tommy Danzigger, who has the second best numbers in the field, received a 94 and 96 for his wins in the Stellar's Jay and Canadian Derby as a 3-year-old. It is certainly possible he could improve on his Beyers as a 4-year-old.