For a $5,000 claiming race, the 5th race on Tuesday night came up mighty tough.  The race is a mile over the main track and Arky has Dean Butler aboard.  A reminder: we could not get a spot to get together Tuesday evening, which isn’t surprising considering it’s fireworks night. Another reminder: First post is 4 PM Tuesday and we should be up about 6:10.

Purple Sky (Bratcher/Arrieta) – Smoked a $4,000 field in late May.  Came back in a starter allowance and had a more difficult time of things.  Should be a pace stalker in here.

Sindy’s Luck (Diodoro/Mojica) – Won in gate to wire fashion clearly beating the Alumni Group’s horse, Perfect Movement, who came back to win at that level on Thursday night.  Has shown speed in each of his Canterbury starts so we should expect no less here.

Benny’s Glory (Randy Rarick/Velazquez) – It has been some time since the 7-year old has won a race.  Ran relatively consistently at this level at Tampa but cam up here and tried to move up in class and didn’t fare well.  Heads back to the beaten $5000 ranks and moves from sprint to route.

Call It Luke (Gordon/Mawing) – Was a non-factor in his 2 Canterbury starts this year.  Drops a bit in class for this race and does his best running late.

Redneck Attack (Richard/Eikleberry) – Claimed a month ago for $7500 and was bumped up in class for his first start for the new connection.  He wasn’t able to keep up on the turf and comes back here below his claiming price.  Usually a negative but this group likes to win races and, should he win, they nearly pick up the claiming price.  A win and a claim and they get out a little ahead.  He’ll be pushing the pace.

MR. ARK (LITFIN/BUTLER)

Cristianstorm (Berndt/Hamilton) – Winner last out and beat Sindy’s Luck in the process.  Certainly fits here and will be coming late.

For a small field there are a variety of running styles on display and the race is super competitive.

Arky runs better long than he does short so going the mile is certainly going to be helpful, but there are some solid horses going here and the fact that we like to be on or near the lead is a bit problematic with the quality of horses he’ll need to battle up front and then hold of late.

His best races going long at Oaklawn and Texas carry speed figures that could win this race.  We’ll need some luck, but hopefully we can prevail.  If not, a solid showing and hitting the board would help pay the bills.

Group 2, you’re in the paddock.  We’ll meet you over there after race 4 and we’ll send Ark off right!

GOOD LUCK!