Lymebyrd has found stride

CYPRESS, Calif. – Lymebyrd is having a career revival this summer at 4.

Lymebyrd was the easy winner of a $20,000 claimer for maidens at Los Alamitos in July in his eighth start and followed with a 19-1 upset in a starter allowance Aug. 11 at Del Mar. The win streak can continue in an optional claimer for California-breds on Thursday.

“He got in a field that was just bad and he won easy,” trainer Dean Pederson said of the maiden claimer. “He went down to Del Mar and trained good on that track, which was a plus. We took a shot. He ran game that day.

“This is the next step to see where we’re at with him.”

The optional claimer is run at a mile and drew a field of seven. Lymebyrd, who races for Don and Guy Brown, is the only runner in the field with a win in his last start.

Pederson also has entered Storm Comin Thru, who has not raced since October.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lymebyrd, by Limehouse Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-45

◗ Lymebyrd led throughout his two wins and is likely to be near the front in Thursday’s race.

“He’s one of those that maybe likes to be up there and be involved,” Pederson said.

◗ Lymebyrd lost his first five starts before being given a break in April 2016 that lasted 14 months. He returned to finish seventh in a maiden special weight race for California-breds on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in June and was fifth in a $20,000 claimer for maidens on dirt at six furlongs at Santa Anita in July. He has not lost since, with his victories coming in his only two starts in two-turn races on dirt.

“When he lost his first race back, to use the word disappointing would be an understatement,” Pederson said. “He’s rewarded the owners for their patience.”

Storm Comin Thru, by Stormy Jack Last 3 Beyers: 79-81-81

◗ Storm Comin Thru was claimed for $20,000 by Pederson for a partnership last October. He was later diagnosed with an infection in a leg that led to the lengthy layoff.

“It took us forever to get it healed,” Pederson said. “We put him back in training, and he wasn’t moving good. You thought you were taking one step forward and two steps back, so we said, ‘Let’s give him 60 days off and let him be a horse.’

“He might need a race. We’re hoping for a good run out of him.”

Lindante, by Sapphire Cat Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-84

◗ Lindante is winless in six starts this year, including a nose loss in a $25,000 claimer at a mile on turf Aug. 6 at Del Mar. The 6-year-old gelding was claimed that day by Jeff Mullins.

◗ Lindante won an optional claimer at a mile here last year when trained by Jerry Fanning.