Fizzy's Last 2009 Canterbury Start

Fizzy Pop takes on seven other $16,000 claimers in the 2nd race at Canterbury Park this evening. Estimated post time is 7:28 for those of you scoring at home. The race is going a mile and a sixteenth over the turf course and up for this ride is Juan Rivera.

Here is the rundown:

1. Captain Bucky (Morales) - Been solid in his last two at this level after a clunker of a debut following almost a year away. Fizzy beat him by a length and a half two back but clearly a horse on the improve.

2. Benson (Stevens) - A monster on the turf in allowance company in Arizona, he's run poorly in two turf starts at Canterbury. Up for third in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse, he still seems a level below the top ones in here.

3. Roadster (Goodwin) - Was facing much better in Chicago, though not successful and flat in local debut.

4. Little Wagon (Eikleberry) - His third start back after taking a year and a half off and on the improve. If he's rounding back into his old form, he could breeze this group without breathing heavy.

5. FIZZY POP (Rivera)

6. Onotheregoestokyo (Butler) - He's been close but not quite against higher and the drop may be just what he needs.

7. Trumper (Keith) - $7500 claim was closely nicely in his last start but is facing multiple winners for the first time. Beyers are well short of the rest of the contenders.

8. Just A Nibble (Bell) - Could be the speed in here but this race may be a bit to long here.

Once again, Dean has chosen to ride another and once again I understand the reasoning with 'tokyo being a higher class horse (in the past anyhow), but it doesn't inspire confidence in me. Not that I think Rivera is not capable. He is, in fact, having a good meet but Dean's ridden Fiz to his wins and seems to 'fit' the horse better than anyone. Another reason: Fizzy's past performances are now mixed thanks to his wire to wire win last out. Anyone stepping in is going to take one look and wonder which way to take this horse. Dean knows the horse and can take him whichever way 'feels' right tonight. A rider coming in cold is going to need a plan and now it's tough to figure out what that plan should be.

Fizzy can win against this group. In general, he looks pretty good in here and could even be a nice odds play as he may get overlooked behind 'tokyo, Little Wagon and the improving Little Bucky. If Derek Bell doesn't gun Just A Nibble to the lead, Fiz may be able to have things his own way on the front end again. He'll need a bit more luck than one usually needs (which is considerable), but what a great way to end the 2009 Canterbury season it would be!