April Rose set to fire fresh

April Rose was coming off a lengthy layoff when she won a $25,000 optional-claiming race going five furlongs on turf Nov. 4 at Gulfstream Park West. The circumstances are similar when she returns in a $35,000 optional-claiming race that kicks off Thursday’s eight-race card at Gulfstream Park West. The five-furlong race on turf drew six horses and will go off at approximately 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

This will be the first start for April Rose since she won a $25,000 optional-claiming race going five furlongs on the grass at Gulfstream for trainer Steve Klesaris on Jan. 21. In her win last November, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, she hadn’t raced for eight months, since Klesaris claimed her on behalf of himself out of a fourth-place finish in a $16,000 claiming race for nonwinners of three at Gulfstream.

April Rose has been training forwardly for her return, and it is encouraging to see Gaffalione accept the mount. She drew post 3 and should get a nice trip stalking what figures to be an honest and contested pace.

Some of the speed will be provided by Hollywood Royal, who is coming off a win in a maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park for trainer Mark Casse on Sept. 28. The lightly raced 3-year-old dueled through a quick quarter before asserting herself in the five-furlong dash on turf. She will break from post 2 with Emisael Jaramillo riding again.

KEY CONTENDERS

April Rose, by Wildcat Heir

Last 3 Beyers: 87-74-64

◗ She runs well fresh, has the best Beyer Speed Figures in the field, and her sharp set of works suggest she’s ready to fire another big shot coming off the bench.

Hollywood Royal, by Distorted Humor

Last 3 Beyers: 71-62-67

◗ She’s had just three starts, and as a half-sister to stakes winners Greeley’s Rocket and Laurie’s Rocket, who earned $515,858, her best races could be in front of her.

◗ Her third-place finish in her debut Aug. 14 at Saratoga looked a lot better when the winner, Vigor, earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure when she lost by a nose in a first-level allowance race at the Spa two weeks later.

Imnaha, by Lion Hearted

Last 3 Beyers: 78-68-52

◗ Trained by Joseph Catanese, she also can fire fresh and is coming off a runner-up finish at Gulfstream Park in a key $25,000 optional-claiming race Sept. 1. The winner, Tillie’s Lilly, earned an 89 Beyer when she remained undefeated in an impressive performance in a $62,500 optional-claiming race on the downhill turf course Oct. 20 at Santa Anita.