Almost all entrants have a shot in Friday turf allowance

Friday’s featured ninth race at Gulfstream Park, a $46,000, second-level allowance at 1 3/16 miles on turf with a $62,500 claiming option, looks a little like the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this year: just about everyone has a chance of winning.

Of the 10 horses in the main body of the field – with Cary Street as a main-track-only entrant – only the longshot Good and Proper seems like a safe toss-out. The other nine have strengths that suggest they could prevail with their best effort and a clean trip.

Generous Kitten, Seeking Alpha, and Red Guard enter off wins in entry-level allowances. Jonrah, Rompin Reid, and Snow Trouble were all beaten less than three lengths last out against similar opposition. Money Talker, Morning Calm, and Roccia d’Oro drop in class after going unplaced recently against classier.

Roccia d’Oro seems likely to get bet down from his 5-1 morning line and could start as a tepid favorite. He is coming off a seemingly forgivable fourth in the Allen Jerkens Stakes on Jan. 23. In that two-mile race, he faded to lose by nine lengths to Charming Kitten.

Previous races from Roccia d’Oro, a 4-year-old colt, were better efforts, including a close fourth in the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight Handicap on Dec. 26. Luis Saez rides for trainer Tom Albertrani and owner John D’Amato.

Key Contenders

Generous Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-70

◗ Two of his three victories have come with Friday’s rider, Julien Leparoux, though he has been aboard for only four of his nine starts. One of those victories came in a Jan. 31 allowance at Gulfstream.

Money Talker, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 83-91-95

◗ A six-time winner on turf, he is a likely candidate to improve upon a ninth-place finish in a stakes-quality allowance Feb. 15 at Gulfstream, his first start of 2016.

Seeking Alpha, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-85

◗ He has winning grass connections with trainer Chad Brown and jockey Javier Castellano, who both top North America in money won in turf races this year.

Morning Calm, by Broken Vow

Last 3 Beyers: 76-87-92

◗ Returns to his preferred surface on the Gulfstream Park grass, over which he is 3 for 9, after getting outrun when sixth while making his first dirt start in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper on Feb. 6.

Roccia d’Oro, by Rock of Gibraltar

Last 3 Beyers: 82-95-91

◗ Is battle tested against some high-class turf horses, having faced graded stakes winners Charming Kitten, Da Big Hoss, and Mr Maybe.