Weight break may help Ike Walker

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jerry Hollendorfer lost Ike Walker via claim in February, took him back in his next start, lost him again in May, and again wasted no time claiming him right back in his subsequent start. It’s obvious the Hollendorfer team likes having him around, and Ike Walker likes being around Del Mar, where he has won four times in six starts.

He’ll seek to improve on that record Thursday in the day’s nominal feature, race 4, a one-mile optional claimer that drew a field of five, of whom two – including Ike Walker – are in for a $62,500 claiming price. Hollendorfer sends out 40 percent of the field. In addition to Ike Walker, he’ll run Sheer Flattery, who earned a first-level allowance win in an optional-claimer June 23 at Santa Anita in which Ike Walker was fourth.

“He’s a neat horse,” Dan Ward, the local assistant to Hollendorfer, said of Ike Walker. “He likes it here. He won at this condition here last November. And we’re dropping 10 pounds.”

Ike Walker lugged 125 pounds last time, conceding three to Sheer Flattery. The conditions of Thursday’s race peg him at 120 pounds, and with apprentice Assael Espinoza up, he gets in at 115, seven less than Sheer Flattery.

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Sheer Flattery comes off a career-best effort, earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He ran really big last time,” Ward said. “He’s improving.”

Every horse in the race looks to have a chance.

Conqueror is stretching out after a good runner-up effort sprinting here July 21; Giant Influence was second against a slightly softer field last time out here on opening day July 18; and Lookie Loo seeks his third win in his last five starts.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ike Walker, by Bellamy Road
Last 3 Beyers: 78-89-84

◗ His last race was well below his best, but the conditions of this race – one mile at Del Mar, in for a $62,500 price – mirror his Nov. 16 win, which produced a lifetime-best Beyer of 95.

Sheer Flattery, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 92-84-77

◗ He scored a 28-1 upset when finally escaping the first-level allowance condition after residing there for quite some time.

Conqueror, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 93-84-77

◗ He has finished first and second in two prior starts here and comes off a lifetime-best fig earlier in the meet.

Giant Influence, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 81-85-83

◗ He ran well, albeit against easier company, when second here last time out

Lookie Loo, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 86-88-88

◗ A poor start cost him early position last time. He has been right up there early in both his wins and should be prominent from the start this time.