Argentinian import Amor Lejano in good spot to make U.S. debut

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – There are several intriguing options to consider when assessing Saturday’s $47,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park, not the least of which is the Argentinian import Amor Lejano, who makes his U.S. debut in the five-furlong turf sprint. The race is for 4-year-olds and up and goes as race 10 on an 11-race program that kicks off at 1 p.m.

Amor Lejano has made six starts, all in his native Argentina, and won twice. He was shipped to North America by trainer Luis Duco this past winter.

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Amor Lejano is by the better-than-average grass sire Exchange Rate out of a multiple Group 2-winning mare, and is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Ayra, who never ran on grass. Amor Lejano has run once on turf, finishing third of 13 under allowance conditions last October at San Isidro. He displays the type of action in the morning that suggests he’ll handle grass.

Amor Lejano shows six local works, including a sharp five furlongs from the gate in 59.80 seconds on March 4. He will break from the rail while racing on Lasix for the first time.

Trainer Wesley Ward will send out the likely favorite in Zanno among the nine entered, which include main-track-only entrants Life in Shambles and Combination. Zanno won a similarly conditioned turf dash restricted to Florida-breds on Jan. 17 before returning to finish sixth after encountering traffic issues near the end against open company here in his most recent outing.

Smoke Alarm could offer some value returning to the grass after finishing a well-beaten fourth behind winner Monte Ne in a race switched from turf to dirt on Jan. 14. In his previous outing, Smoke Alarm was an impressive maiden winner sprinting on turf here, leading throughout after setting a lively pace and earning a career-best 73 Beyer Speed Figure.

Monte Ne looms another key contender, having posted two wins and two seconds in his last four starts, including a near miss against tough $35,000 starter-allowance company in his second outing since being claimed for what appears to be a bargain $20,000 out of his 2020 finale.

Weekend Dreamer is another who figures to contest the early issue. He split two decisions with Monte Ne and finished fifth in a race won by Zanno over the winter here.

Captain Ron is far and away the most accomplished member of the field, having won six times, including a game head decision sprinting on turf under $16,000 starter-allowance conditions on March 5 here. He earned a career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure in that race.

The Virginian, who’ll break from the extreme outside, is another with a statebred turf sprint victory to his credit. He was transferred to trainer Steve Klesaris’s barn off that Dec. 20 effort and returned to finish fourth, beaten less than a length, on March 7 in a race similar to Saturday’s

There is little chance of rain in the forecast, but should the race come off the grass, Life in Shambles would likely be heavily favored. The 10-year-old exits an easy victory over $35,000 claiming opposition on Jan. 30 while continuing to improve since joining trainer Peter Walder’s barn via the claim box last summer at Saratoga.