Weather a wild card for oversubscribed Shakertown

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The last time Keeneland hosted a graded stakes for older turf sprinters, there was Bucchero, separating himself from the rest with a 26-1 upset in the Grade 2 Woodford last fall.

His trainer, Tim Glyshaw, is hoping recent history repeats itself. Bucchero, with Fernando De La Cruz back to ride, is part of an oversubscribed field in the Grade 2, $200,000 Shakertown on the huge Blue Grass Stakes card Saturday at Keeneland.

Bucchero finished third March 10 in the Silks Run, a five-furlong turf race at Gulfstream.

“We’ve got a race under him and he’s done well since then,” said Glyshaw, who trains Bucchero for Ironhorse Racing Stable.

The 5 1/2-furlong Shakertown is the only stakes scheduled for turf here Saturday, when wintry weather could force the race to the main track. In all, 16 are entered, although only as many as 14 can start. Clearly, a surface switch would dramatically alter the race complexion, but either way, there’s a ton of early speed signed on. A fresh Latent Revenge appears likeliest to make the lead, and Glyshaw is banking on De La Cruz having Bucchero in prime position from post 5 to make another big run.

“I figure he’ll have a good spot behind the leaders, at least on paper,” said Glyshaw. “If the turf is soft or the race moves to the dirt, there’ll be a whole lot of unknowns involved.”

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The favorite if the race stays on turf surely would be Disco Partner, the gray New York-bred whose $913,810 bankroll and stellar record in the turf-sprint niche makes him an obvious choice. He rallied belatedly to finish third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last fall, a race in which Bucchero was a very respectable fourth.

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call from trainer Christophe Clement on Disco Partner, who drew post 13 after being sent through eight workouts at Payson Park since early February in anticipation of his comeback.

This is the 22nd running of the Shakertown. It goes as the seventh of 11 Saturday races and leads off a pick four wager (races 7-10) with a $400,000 pool guarantee.

KEY CONTENDERS

Disco Partner, by Disco Rico
Last 3 Beyers: 100-100-91

◗ He would probably prefer a longer distance, but there’s no denying the class edge he brings here.

Bucchero, by Kantharos
Last 3 Beyers: 86-96-99

◗ His comeback at Gulfstream four weeks ago was compromised by a poor start and a premature rush down the backstretch.

Commute, by Hold Me Back
Last 3 Beyers: 101-102-94

◗ Away for nine months, this talented sprinter returns as a first-time gelding for the Mark Casse stable.

Big Handsome, by Street Boss
Last 3 Beyers: 90-97-93

◗ Trained by Tony Dutrow, this comebacking 4-year-old sports a terrific series of recent works at Payson Park.

Will Call, by Country Day
Last 3 Beyers: 95-93-90

◗ This Klein family homebred really came to hand over the winter at Fair Grounds after being moved to the turf by Brad Cox.