We head into the final days of 2016 still trying to get that first win on the season.  Boomer comes into the $4000 claiming race (with non-winner conditions) as the 9/5 morning line favorite but the race is far from a lock.  Here is a look at the field:

Jesuit Warrior (Cornwell/Molina) – Has some speed and the rail.  Battled our boy early in the last race only to fall off the pace late.  Moving inside and a 1/2 furlong less should help him out here.

Roarin Missile (Perez/Sanchez) – Scratched as the favorite out of our last race but the same analysis applies: Will be coming late and should be dangerous as there may be enough speed to open things up.

Dexterous (Booker/Montalvo) – Showed speed at Fairmount but was run off his hooves last out here at Hawthorne after a very long layoff and a bad break.  Been off six weeks after that one but with a clean break could have some say in the pace scenario.

Spectacular Act (Slager/Santiago) – Third race in three weeks after a ling break.  Even with the freshening, that’s an awful lot to ask.

Lights on Brite (Perez/Ulloa) – A relatively steady sort, may be able to hit the board late.  Has shown speed in some races but, when prominent, hasn’t been able to finish.

VANDERBOOM RIDGE (BRINSON/FELIX)

Strategic Game (Walker/Sanjur) – Will be starting wide again but certainly has the speed to mix things up in front.

Papasote (Mosier/Bielby) – Broke well in the last versus Boomer but hit a wall when they hit the lane.  Second after a layoff should help the stamina as should the shortening to six furlongs.

Boomer does tend to beak well but does not need the lead to finish.  In fact, if we can relax early and either A) have a lone lead (unlikely) and control the race or B) sit a length or two off the early pace and make a move heading into the lane (more likely) we could very well be in line for the first win of the season.

Good luck to all and safe travels for Boomer and Julio!