Long Haul Bay must step up

BALTIMORE – Long Haul Bay returned from a 10-month layoff with an eye-catching allowance win against New York-breds at Aqueduct last month. If he’s able to move forward off that performance – and handle an off track – Long Haul Bay figures tough to beat in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes at Pimlico.

“That was a great starting point, an impressive race,” trainer Chad Brown said of the April 22 effort in which Long Haul Bay ran six furlongs in 1:09.04. “If he does improve off that, he should be a real solid force in this division this year.”

Long Haul Bay, a son of Quality Road, drew the outside post in a field of nine set to contest six furlongs in the Maryland Sprint. There appears to be ample speed in this field, and jockey Manny Franco will likely be able to set up shop right outside the likes of Red Dragon Tattoo, Lewisfield, and Switzerland.

His biggest hurdle could be the expected sloppy track. Long Haul Bay, who is 3 for 4 including a victory in the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes as a 3-year-old, has never raced on an off track. Brown said “I’m not sure” when asked how he felt Long Haul Bay would handle a wet surface.

Switzerland, formerly trained by Brown but now in the barn of Steve Asmussen, has won three consecutive races including one in the slop. He went 2 for 2 at Oaklawn, winning a secondlevel allowance by 2 1/4 lengths over a surface listed as good.

“I don’t know what he beat, but he’s done everything right,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to Asmussen. “Those were two pretty good races at Oaklawn. He won his last race with some moisture in the track, and that was his best number yet.”

Lewisfield, a Maryland-bred son of Great Notion trained by Jeff Runco, steps into graded stakes company for the first time after winning five of his first seven starts.

“He’s been training great, had a couple of great workouts the last couple of weeks. I expect him to run well,” Runco said.

Asked about a wet track, Runco said, “he doesn’t seem to mind it when he trains over it.”

Lewisfield may have avoid a speed duel with plenty of speed signed on.

Sonny Inspired, Heartwood, Irish Colonel, and Fellowship complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Long Haul Bay, by Quality Road Last 3 Beyers: 98-88-88

◗ Came off a 10-month layoff to win a New York-bred allowance in a fast race from which runnerup Mighty Zealous came back to win Wednesday at Aqueduct.

Switzerland, by Speightstown Last 3 Beyers: 100-90-96

◗ Undefeated in three starts this year, with two wins over wet tracks.

◗ Has tactical speed to be on or near the lead under Ricardo Santana Jr.

Lewisfield, by Great Notion Last 3 Beyers: 97-95-85

◗ Improving gelding gets class test but has the speed to be a factor from the outset.

◗ Skipped the Churchill Downs Sprint to await this and has been firing bullet works at Charles Town.