Arghad stands out in turf allowance
Regardless of the handicapping criteria used – form, class, speed figures – there is little doubt which horse is the most likely winner of Sunday’s 10th race at Gulfstream Park, a $44,000, first-level allowance with a $25,000 claiming condition. That horse is Arghad, a Distorted Humor colt who ran second, beaten a nose, while earning a 94 Beyer Speed Figure in a comparable field Dec. 16 at Gulfstream.
The only thing he lacks is a generous price in a deep field of 10 going 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass. He is 9-5 on the morning line and figures to drop even lower off his recent near miss, in which he was 4 1/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher.
Further improving his chances is an inside draw, which should allow him to save ground early and establish position with a short run to the first turn under Luis Saez.
Typical of a horse owned by Shadwell Stable, Arghad has plenty of pedigree. Besides being by a top sire, he is a half-brother to the stakes winners Victory Lap and Zanjero, a millionaire.
Heading the opposition is Speightstown Time, who also ran second at Gulfstream earlier in the meet, and Golden Rivet and Chiltern Street, in-form runners at risk of wide trips with outside draws.
Key contenders
Arghad (Beyers: 94-85)
◗ He was outgamed Dec. 16 by Tapitation, who refused to let him pass as they drew clear from the rest of the pack through the lane. Arghad lugged in, creating contact with Tapitation.
Chiltern Street (Last 3 Beyers: 82-82-77)
◗ Makes his first start against winners after graduating from the maiden ranks by 2 1/2 lengths at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 5. That race followed some competitive tries at Saratoga and in Kentucky.
Golden Rivet (Last 3 Beyers: 84-62-67)
◗ A six-time winner, he has won two allowance races but is eligible to start in Sunday’s race because he is entered for the $25,000 claiming tag. He ran third in a similar race at Gulfstream on Jan. 3.
Speightstown Time (Beyers: 81-79-87)
◗ Surged from fifth to take command in a Dec. 9 race at Gulfstream, only to weaken late and lose by a neck. That race earned him an 81 Beyer, down from his career-best 87 figure, posted in winning a maiden turf sprint at Saratoga last summer.