Yes Its Bear looms large in sprint feature

Trainer Tim Rycroft was impressed with how Yes Its Bear won his debut and hopes the son of Harlan’s Holiday can take another step forward in a $30,000 optional-claiming race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Northlands Park.

All five horses entered in the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds are eligible for the first-level condition of the race and are not for sale Saturday.

Yes Its Bear is a heavy horse, and because of his build, Rycroft was very patient getting him to the races.

“He was packing a lot of weight as a baby last year, so we didn’t put a lot of pressure on him,” he said. “After we got him okayed at the gate, we turned him out.”

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Yes Its Bear’s bulk helped him in his debut. He was bumped pretty hard coming out of the gate in the six-furlong maiden special weight race May 15, but it didn’t seem to faze him. With Tony Maragh aboard, he quickly settled into a stalking position, moved into contention while going wide around the second turn, then took control in midstretch.

“I thought he might run a good race,” said Rycroft. “He had been training well, and he is a cool horse to be around. He also likes being a racehorse, which is half the battle.”

Maragh retains the mount. He likely will put Yes Its Bear into a stalking position behind his stablemate Feetdontfailmenow.

KEY CONTENDERS

Yes Its Bear (Beyer: 57)

◗ The Kentucky-bred easily owns the best Beyer Speed Figure in a two-turn sprint and figures to move forward with a race behind him.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Rycroft has a 20 percent strike rate with debut winners making their second start.

Feetdontfailmenow (Last 3 Beyers: 0-36-73)

◗ He used his good speed to win his debut going 3 1/2 furlongs and almost took them all the way going six furlongs in the $51,020 Edmonton Juvenile in his second start.

◗ He could be dangerous as a first-time Lasix user after going unplaced as the favorite in the $49,240 Two-Year-Old Sales Stakes on Aug. 9.

Saint Warlock (Last 3 Beyers: 47-NA-NA)

◗ Undefeated in three starts at Lethbridge as a 2-year-old, he finished a solid second in a $20,000 claimer in his first start this year. He was haltered out of the race by trainer Dal Schaffrick.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Schaffrick is 1 for 3 running claimed horses back the first time.