Bad Debt goes for repeat in Sunshine Millions Turf Preview
The $100,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Preview for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park West on Saturday is completely wide-open and will match six colts and geldings against a pair of 4-year-old fillies.
The two fillies, E B Ryder and She’s Spooky, elected to enter the 1 1/16-mile Turf Preview after the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Preview failed to fill. There are seven $100,000 stakes for Florida-breds on the Saturday Gulfstream West card.
The top players in the Turf Preview include Bad Debt, Best Plan Yet, and E B Ryder. The trio shows what an odd field the Turf Preview has attracted. Bad Debt, a 7-year-old, was claimed for $62,500 at Saratoga on Aug. 23. Best Plan Yet is a 3-year-old who will be facing older rivals for the first time. E B Ryder will be making her 21st career start but her first against males.
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The Turf Preview is the third race on the card and the first leg of a pick three and a pick four. It is scheduled for 1:33 p.m. Eastern.
Turf Preview, race 3
KEY CONTENDERS
Bad Debt (Last 3 Beyers: 94-72-91)
◗ Won this race a year ago by 6 1/2 lengths for owner Robert Leibner and trainer Michael Trombetta. Was claimed away for $80,000 by trainer David Jacobson at Belmont Park in July. Leibner and Trombetta claimed him back in his next start.
◗ In his lone start since being claimed back, Bad Debt was second in a high-level allowance at Keeneland. The 94 Beyer Speed Figure he earned in that race towers over the recent Beyers of the other entrants.
Best Plan Yet (Last 3 Beyers: 72-76-56)
◗ Won two legs of the Florida Stallion Series in 2013 for trainer Stanley Gold but is 1 for 8 this year. Earned a 76 Beyer in winning the Forty Niner Stakes at this distance at Gulfstream Park two starts back.
E B Ryder (Last 3 Beyers: 79-84-83)
◗ Finished an uncharacteristic seventh in her last start after racing far back in a 12-horse field. She was beaten only four lengths in that race, which was run in slow-early, fast-late fashion.
◗ Gets leading rider Edgard Zayas for this and is a player here at what should be a fair price.