Awesome Beast, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Kathryn Davey, will likely be the horse to beat in the eighth race on Friday at Gulfstream Park, a $43,000 state-restricted allowance. A key scratch may change the pace scenario in the race, but he should still contend after an improved showing in open company last time out. Despite hitting the gate and losing ground in the early going, Davey’s gelding still ran well to finish fourth in a $75,800 allowance at the end of March. He has not won in five starts this year but is now dropping into Florida-bred competition on dirt for the first time in his career. Trainer Michael Yates said Wednesday that 4-year-old colt Celtic Pride will not run at Gulfstream on Friday, changing the complexion of the race. Despite a dull 2025 debut, the once-flashy runner would have been a serious contender and potential pacesetter in the race. After a game maiden victory and similarly impressive runner-up finish in statebred company last spring, Celtic Pride faded after a half-mile in his 2025 debut, finishing 22 lengths behind at the wire. He will not have the opportunity to bounce back this week. :: Play Gulfstream Park with confidence! DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports available now. With Celtic Pride out of the race, Far From a Star, a colt switching to Mohamed Jehaludi’s stable, may have renewed chances as a front-running threat returning from a nine-month layoff. In seven career starts, all of which occurred at Gulfstream, he has vied for the early lead five times and has proven capable of setting sharp fractions. Jockey Jose Morelos may be able to slow things down on the lead, giving his colt an excellent chance. Roar Ready might have appreciated more pacesetters in the race, but he remains an interesting outsider. The 4-year-old colt ran in a $50,000 claiming race last time out and was claimed by trainer Victor Barboza Jr. He last ran at this level for trainer Ruben Sierra in February and finished third behind Hurricane Nelson, who won a statebred stakes next time out. Barboza said that he always had his eye on the colt, but his last start in open company was the first time that Sierra had ever entered him for a claiming tag. His new trainer believes he has a strong chance in the field of seven on Friday. “I liked the horse for a long time, seeing him run and train very well,” Barboza said. “He’s a beautiful horse, and I think he’s very good for that race on Friday.” Along with Awesome Beast, Roar Ready figures as a contender to chase down Far From a Star and win from off the pace. Every horse in the conditional allowance field has had issues finding the winner’s circle in their careers, but Roar Ready will have more to overcome than most in his first start for Barboza. His lone victory in 16 starts was in November 2023, though he finished third in the Carry Back in July. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.