Asia has look of speedy prospect
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A filly named Asia didn’t open her career with the aplomb that her mother did. One Hot Wish set a track record in winning by 12 lengths in her 2007 debut at Keeneland, providing owner-trainer Wesley Ward with one of his many memorable career feats.
Nonetheless, Asia was a first-out winner at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31, following in the footsteps of her dam. The 3-year-old daughter of Lookin At Lucky now makes her much-awaited return to action in the lone allowance of a 10-race Friday card at Gulfstream, a $48,000 first-level allowance at five furlongs on the turf.
Ward is the breeder and trainer of Asia, while Susan Magnier of the Coolmore conglomerate is listed as owner – although Ward said he retained part-ownership in the filly. In any case, Ward will be looking for her to improve on her maiden triumph, which also came in a five-furlong turf race and resulted in a 70 Beyer Speed Figure.
“Hopefully, she learned some things that day,” said Ward. “She’s trained right along since then.”
Asia has had three interim workouts at the Palm Meadows training center.
Seven other 3-year-old fillies are entered in the ninth race on a card that starts at 1 p.m. Eastern. The feature is part of the Rainbow 6 sequence (races 5-10).
KEY CONTENDERS
Asia (Beyer: 70)
◗ Bay filly was well backed first out, as often happens with Ward first-timers, and was forwardly placed throughout before surging to prevail by three-quarters of a length under Rafael Hernandez, who retains the mount here.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Asia. Trainer Wesley Ward is 25-2-3-4 with a $0.26 ROI over the past five years in turf sprints with last-out maiden winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Hangover Saturday (Last 3 Beyers: 52-67-49)
◗ Part of an uncoupled David Fawkes duo (with Katie’s Kiss), this Florida-bred was second for this same condition two starts back and is one of three entered here for an optional $75,000 claiming tag.
Catfight Cowgirl (Last 3 Beyers: 68-61-49)
◗ Interesting turnback candidate has flirted on the stakes fringes as one of the more experienced fillies in the lineup and would benefit from a quick pace to set things up for her.
Katie’s Kiss (Last 3 Beyers: 69-28-49)
◗ Stonestreet filly earned easily her career-high Beyer last out when finishing second to a heavily favored Ward winner (Spanish Pipedream) at 23-1. She chased the pace most of the way with a clean inside trip.
Presto Magic (Last 3 Beyers: 57-71-54)
◗ Daughter of the noted grass sire More Than Ready was fifth in the Jan. 30 race won by Spanish Pipedream and will be looking to revert to her two-back maiden score, in which she earned a field-high 71 Beyer.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Presto Magic. Trainer Kelly Breen is 9-2-0-2 with a $3.55 ROI over the past five years at Gulfstream Park on turf in the third start following a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan