Abrir Caminos, Harry's Onthefly look ready after solid works

Abrir Caminos and Harry’s Onthefly have both turned in recent works that help answer some key questions about their form heading into Friday’s ninth race at Gulfstream Park, a first-level allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta.

No Deliberation could go favored in the field of eight as a winner of six of his last seven starts, while another top contender is Takecareofbusiness off a win on Tapeta.

Abrir Caminos will be racing on a synthetic track for the first time in his career Friday. A June 9 Tapeta work suggests he should handle the surface. He went a half-mile in a blazing 45.60 seconds.

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Abrir Caminos was bred in Chile and won on dirt and turf tracks in his native country, rising to the level of stakes winner. He’s made one start in North America, finishing second by two lengths in a five-furlong turf sprint May 24 at Gulfstream. Portofino won the race in a quick 54.58 seconds, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

Abrir Caminos earned an 84 Beyer after closing from just off the pace. He will start from post 8 on Friday and the draw might give jockey Hector Berrios some options. Amador Sanchez trains Abrir Caminos, a son of the Scat Daddy stallion Flyer, for Viejo Perro Stable.

Harry’s Onthefly will be making his first start since Dec. 2. His most recent work indicates he is ready to return to the races. He went a half-mile in a smoking 45.80 seconds on Tapeta on June 16. The move was the fastest of 27 at the distance on the synthetic track that morning.

Harry’s Onthefly is going from turf to Tapeta like Abrir Caminos, but he is already proven on a synthetic track by virtue of a win over Florida-breds in a first-level allowance in October. His most recent start was a runner-up finish in a turf sprint for which he earned an 86 Beyer.

Harry’s Onthefly has won off a layoff in the past, as his maiden score came in August 2023 at Del Mar in what was his first out since February of that year. Further, Herman Wilensky, who bred, owns, and trains the horse, wins at an above average rate with both layoff prospects and turf to synthetic starters, according to statistics from Daily Racing Form.

Jesus Rios has the mount from post 4 on Harry’s Onthefly, who brings tactical speed to the table Friday.

No Deliberation is coming off a Tapeta win going 5 1/2 furlongs in a $25,000 starter allowance April 25. The Beyer of 84 he earned is the best last-race synthetic number in the field.

Takecareofbusiness earned an 83 last out when defeating Florida-breds on Tapeta in a first-level allowance May 10.

◗ Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. said Grand Mo the First was scheduled to work this weekend in a drill that will give him more insight as to whether the horse will be able to make the Dwyer at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct. Barboza said the horse recently missed some training due to the significant rains that hit South Florida.

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