Allowance cast has star quality

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The calendar says it's mid-April, but horseplayers couldn't be blamed for thinking it was still the middle of winter in south Florida after looking over the field for Friday's $44,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.

At a time when the majority of the top 3-year-olds who stabled here this winter are long gone, Friday's one-mile main event brings together as talented an allowance field from top to bottom as seen here during the entire 2009 meeting. The group is led by Sincero, whose last start came in the Florida Derby, and Endymion, along with recent maiden winners San Valentino, Glittermans Cartel, and Disguise.

Sincero finished fifth after steadying on the opening turn of the Grade 1 Florida Derby. In his previous start, the Calder-based Sincero finished third behind Dunkirk going 1 1/8 miles under allowance conditions.

Endymion returned from a 5 1/2-month freshening to finish second behind the odds-on Santana Six going a mile in his 3-year-old debut. A son of Tapit, Endymion disputed the pace throughout before succumbing to the winner through the final furlong. The outing was his first since he graduated at Monmouth Park going two turns on Oct. 10.

Endymion will be coupled in the wagering with Disguise as the Peachtree Stable entry, even though the two horses reside in different barns. Endymion is trained by Christophe Clement, while Disguise is trained by Todd Pletcher.

Disguise, a gelded son of Dixie Union, captured his only start by rallying from near the rear of the pack to a half-length maiden special weight win on March 21.

San Valentino and Glittermans Carol both earned Beyer Speed Figures in the low 90s winning their maidens at second asking here last month.

San Valentino outfinished Antitrust to post a three-quarter-length decision going seven furlongs on March 7. His trainer, Tom Albertrani, is hoping for a similar performance on Friday.

"We're just going up to the next level and trying to see where he fits in," said Albertrani. "But this is a pretty strong allowance race, especially for this time of year around here. You can make a case for at least two or three other horses in the field."

Glittermans Cartel already has the benefit of a race at the one-mile distance of Friday's feature. Glitterman's Cartel led throughout and repulsed a couple of bids before outlasting Barbaro's baby brother Nicanor to register a half-length maiden win on March 28.