Avant Glory holds Beyer Figure edge

Avant Glory and Zydeceaux share a last-race company line that points them out as chief contenders in Sunday’s featured eighth race at Gulfstream Park. The horses both exit the $65,000 Jackson Bend, won by Big and Classy.

Avant Glory and Zydeceaux on Sunday meet over six furlongs. They are part of a field of seven entered in a conditioned allowance for 3-year-olds which has a $62,500 claiming option.

Others set to start include Todo Fino, who is back home after running against Grade 1 rivals in Southern California, and Khozeiress, cross-entered in the Gil Campbell Memorial, a local race that was to have been run Saturday.

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The Campbell field was to have included Big and Classy, whom Avant Glory and Zydeceaux ran a respective second and third to in the Jackson Bend.

Avant Glory tracked the pace in the seven-furlong Jackson Bend on Sept. 23 and was beaten 3 1/2 lengths, which was good for a Beyer Speed Figure of 86. It’s the best last-race number in Sunday’s field, where on the cutback he might stalk some of the pace players. Avant Glory was a winner the last time he raced at six furlongs, taking a first-level allowance June 23 at Gulfstream Park.

Edwin Gonzalez has the mount from post 4 for Gelfenstein Farm and trainer Roderick Rodriguez.

Zydeceaux could get a tracking trip from post 6. He is looking to make up 2 3/4 lengths on Avant Glory and has reason to as he will be making his second start since July.

Zydeceaux, a two-time stakes winner, is out of the mare Wink At the Boys, who won 13 races – all main track sprints – while earning more than $100,000.

Carlos Narvaez trains Zydeceaux for J C Racing Stable and has given the mount to Sonny Leon.

Todo Fino is making his first start since finishing 11th in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby on July 29 at Del Mar. The Crosby has become a key race, with runner-up Anarchist coming back in his next start to take the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar and third-place finisher Dr. Schivel returning to win the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship.

As for Todo Fino, he is back home working at Gulfstream, where on July 1 he finished third in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint behind Dean Delivers and Big and Classy. Todo Fino had won five straight races leading up to the Smile Sprint.

Todo Fino will break from the rail Sunday and should show speed as a fresh horse. He contested the early pace in the Bing Crosby. Marcos Meneses has the mount for trainer Amador Sanchez.

The stakes winner Cattin is making his first start since December. He was last seen racing at this level when fourth to Grade 2 winner Endorsed, who is a half-brother to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile-bound Cody’s Wish. The start before, Cattin hooked Clapton, another horse eyeing this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

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