Tracker faces more pressure in first start for new connections
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Tracker will have to work harder if he is going to win his second straight race when he runs in a first-level optional $25,000 claiming race Sunday at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew five horses, with all but Laguna Blaze entered for the $25,000 tag.
It isn’t likely that Tracker will be able to get away with the moderate fractions he set on his way to a sharp win in a $25,000 claiming race going the same distance in his most recent start June 14.
Racing for trainer Barbara Heads with jockey Sahin Civaci aboard, Tracker was in front by 1 1/2 lengths after walking through a first quarter-mile in 24.15 seconds. Not surprisingly, he had plenty of energy left in the stretch to easily hold off the late move by El Capone.
Acting on behalf of Bob Cheema, trainer Anita Bolton claimed Tracker out of the race. In his first start for his new connections, Tracker faces a different set of circumstances. Instead of being the lone speed, Go for Guinness more than likely will put pressure on him right from the start.
Tracker can stalk, however, so Pedro Alvarado has more than one option after Tracker breaks from the inside post.
Go for Guinness does his best work when he is in the race early, and he was taken out of his game when he broke a half-step slow from the rail in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governor’s in his most recent start July 1.
Trained by Dave Forster, Go for Guinness is dropping to a career low and could be very dangerous if he clears early. At the least, his presence should help set up the race for his stablemate, the late-running Senor Rojo.
Race 2
KEY CONTENDERS
Tracker (Last 3 Beyers: 80-67-78)
◗ He looked good in winning at a middle distance for the first time and could take a big step forward in his first start for Bolton.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Since 2013, Bolton has a 45 percent strike rate while running claimed horses the first time.
Senor Rojo (Last 3 Beyers: 74-74-74)
◗ The Grade 3 winner should appreciate the shape of the race. He is coming off a solid effort sprinting, and according to DRF Formulator, over the past five years, Forster has won with 24 percent of his starters who were going from a sprint to a route.
Go for Guinness (Last 3 Beyers: 73-72-79)
◗ The 2014 B.C. Cup Classic runner-up is capable of carrying his substantial speed a middle distance and could be gone if he gets the jump on Tracker.