Addition of Lopez a plus for Anabella Queen

In Anabella Queen’s last two starts, which came at Gulfstream Park in first-level allowance races for Florida-breds with a $16,000 claiming option, she lost by a nose going seven furlongs on the main track on Sept. 9 and a neck at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf Sept. 23.

The 3-year-old filly was given a fine ride by Miguel Vasquez in her last start, and Jonathan Gonzales did nothing wrong in her narrow loss two back on a track rated good. However, neither jockey has the credentials of Paco Lopez, arguably one of the best riders in North America. It is possible his presence will help get Anabella Queen over the top when she runs for the same condition Friday at Gulfstream Park West.

The one-mile race on turf for fillies and mares drew nine horses and goes as race 7 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

Trained by Francisco D’Angelo, Anabella Queen won’t mind being back at Gulfstream Park West, where in her only start she was the runner-up in the $75,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf last year. The one-mile race on turf was part of the Sunshine Millions Preview card, which features nine $75,000 stakes races for Florida-breds and is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 10.

Anabella Queen also won’t mind the slightly longer distance. Her lone win came in her second start, her first on turf, in a $50,000 maiden-claiming race on Sept. 22, 2017. She broke on top in the one-mile race, eased off the speed, and then took control at the top of the stretch.

Since then, she has had six runner-up finishes and two thirds from nine starts. In two of her races, she finished second to subsequent Grade 3 winners Go Noni Go and Nootka Sound.

She will break from post 8 and will likely stalk the pace.

KEY CONTENDERS

Anabella Queen, by Wildcat Heir

Last 3 Beyers: 69-54-69

◗ She is long overdue to win and she should get the right kind of trip with Lopez riding her for the first time.

Reagan’s Odyssey, by Kantharos

Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-50

◗ Trained by Marcus Vitali, the 6-year-old mare has the most wins, seven, has earned the most money, $155,665, and has the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in the field.

◗ After a dull effort at this level July 22, she romped in a $16,000 conditional claimer across town on Sept. 20 and was the runner-up in a $12,500 starter with a $20,000 claiming option on this surface Oct. 10.

◗ She has speed, but is versatile, so apprentice Romero Maragh will have more than one option after she breaks from the outside post.

Caramel Martini, by Biondetti

Last 3 Beyers: 74-60-68

◗ The lightly raced 3-year-old can fire fresh, and she finished in front of Annabella Queen in a similar race in her last start Aug. 12.

◗ She is a closer, and the shape of the race should work for her. She hasn’t finished worse than third in her five starts, the last three for trainer Ralph Nicks.