Wally Van back from layoff for Arapahoe Park Sprint

Wally Van finally will shake Get Happy Mister on Sunday in the $40,000 Arapahoe Park Sprint. Wally Van faced Get Happy Mister in three consecutive stakes races at the Colorado meet a year ago, and Get Happy Mister won all of them en route to taking the Grade 3 San Simeon at Santa Anita.

Wally Van, meanwhile, is returning from a layoff. He will face four others in the Arapahoe Sprint, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up that marks his first race since August. The field also includes Alley Oop Oop, who last year was a regular at Gulfstream Park, and Mr Wild Kitty, the winner of last meet’s Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association Derby.

Arapahoe Sprint (Race 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

Wally Van (Last 3 Beyers: 70-77-57)

◗ He won last year’s Arapahoe Sprint by 2 1/4 lengths, closing from off the pace. It was his 10th win at the Aurora, Colo., track from 22 starts over the local surface.

◗ In three subsequent starts, Wally Van chased Get Happy Mister, finishing eighth in the Front Range, third in the Mt. Elbert, and fourth in the Arapahoe Park Classic.

◗ Wally Van has done some of his prep work for his first start since the Arapahoe Classic at the Downs at Albuquerque, among his drills a half-mile in a near-bullet 47 seconds April 11.

◗ Mike Ziegler has the mount on Wally Van, who will break from post No. 3 for Bill Vanlandingham and trainer Tyrone Gleason.

Alley Oop Oop (40-74-73)

◗ He might be sitting on a peak race in what will be his third out since last June at Gulfstream Park.

◗ Alley Oop Oop has had the bulk of his success on turf but is a multiple winner on dirt and worked a bullet five-furlongs in 59 seconds April 18 at Albuquerque.