Wong brings three recent claims to Humboldt County Marathon

How much does trainer Jonathan Wong want to win Sunday’s $20,000 C.J. Hindley Humboldt County Marathon in Ferndale? He’s entered three runners, each claimed last out, for the 1 5/8-mile race.

On July 16, he claimed So Elite for Scott Herbertson and himself for $16,000 at Sacramento. On Aug. 4, he claimed Sure Victory for Leon Scott at Santa Rosa, and on Aug. 20 he claimed Zip It Up for Scott from a $4,000 sprint victory at Ferndale.

Wong said of Scott, “He really loves Ferndale and wanted to run in the Marathon."

So Elite may have the best chance of the three. He put together a five-race winning streak earlier this year which was snapped with a third-place finish the day he was claimed.

“This is an old class horse," Wong said. "He can run for days. He’s going the right distance.”

The 9-year-old So Elite won a stakes at age 3 at Woodbine and ran second in the Ontario Derby. He has won at 1 3/8 miles.

He’s trained steadily since he was claimed, including a six-furlong drill here last Sunday.

“I think that helped a lot to get to know the track and the turns,” said Wong. “He got around the track beautifully.”

Although Wong is making his first visit to Ferndale, he’s a big fan of the track.

“I’m looking forward to the Marathon," he said. "You never get a chance to run a horse that far any more, and the fans go crazy when the horses go down the stretch and pass the finish line four times.”

Tackling the Wong trio are Ain’t Tellin’, Tiz Titus, Unusually Big, Thegirlwiththecurl, and Yur Teasing Me.