Mr. Ark goes Saturday afternoon in the 5th race.  The race is a six furlong sprint and Ark has drawn post position 6 with Dean Butler aboard.  Because of Preakness Day, all of the public spaces have been sold out so we were unable to get a space for us.

If Group 2 folks will meet me at the paddock gate after the race 4 replay, we’ll all get in the paddock and see if we can launch Ark to start a winning streak.

Red N Black Attack (Goodsell/Swiontek) – Has been toiling in Canada lately but has enjoyed his time at Canterbury, winning twice and hitting the board five times in seven starts.

Let Da Cowboy Rock (Donlin/Hernandez) – Coming in off of three starts and one win at Fonner.  A runner who prefers to come a bit off the pace.

Swiss Wager (Silva/Eikleberry) – Started his Canterbury career in impressive fashion going gate to wire on opening night.  Steps up a notch on the claiming ladder to take on these.

Outrun the Posse (Diodoro/Mojica) – Morning line favorite was claimed at $20,000 at Prairie Meadows, won at Churchill at $30,000 but was DQ’d from purse money and was moved to the Diodoro barn where he has a second at $20,000 to his credit.  Showed some speed and faded a bit in the $12,500 claimer at Oaklawn.  Clearly the one to beat.

Benny’s Glory (Rarick/Velazquez) – 11 of 16 in the money at Canterbury.  Ran second after a brief break in a $5000 claimer at Tampa last out trying to stalk the pace.

MR. ARK (LITFIN/BUTLER)

Lonesome Highway (Bethke/Melancon) – Recently concluded a very successful Fonner campaign winning three of five starts including an entry level allowance score last out.

This is a tough spot for Ark but not an impossible one.  He is really ready to run having been off six weeks.  While he isn’t an early speedster, he does have the ability to stalk the pace, even in a sprint.

Will there be enough early speed that can collapse the race in enough time for him to get up and win? Tough to say.  I think I’d feel better if the race was going another half furlong but we have to run what is written.  Swiss Wager has really been running well and Outrun the Posse has class on his side but Ark has been training forwardly and is keen to go which should keep him closer to the pace than usual and hopefully he’ll still be able to have something in the tank for the stretch.

GOOD LUCK!