Bailey should get stalking trip in speed-laden field
Bailey is on an upward trend and has the right running style to win a first-level allowance race that will serve as the feature race at Gulfstream Park on Thursday. Bailey is taking advantage of the $75,000 claiming option available in the six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up, which drew six horses.
The fetaure goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that gets underway at 12.50 p.m. Eastern.
Bailey is clearly the one to beat and will be singled on many Rainbow 6 tickets. The jackpot wager begins on the third race with a guaranteed pool of $700,000.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Bailey improved when he came back from just over a two-month break between Feb. 5 and April 10. In his first start back, he won a $25,000 starter race that carried a $25,000 claiming option. He followed that up with a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance race for Florida-breds on May 16. Remaining in sharp form, he was the runner-up again in a first-level allowance race for Florida-breds that carried a $12,500 claiming option June 27 before winning at the same level July 23.
In his latest victory, the 3-year-old gelding by Brethren got off to a slow start before rallying late to win the 6 1/2-furlong sprint by two lengths.
Bailey should have speed to run at and could be a handful from a stalking position, especially if he breaks with the field this time.
Edgard Zayas, who has ridden Bailey in his last four starts, will be aboard when he breaks from post 5.
American Prince will get a stern test after beating a solid field of maidens in his debut on Feb. 28 for trainer Ralph Nicks.
With Emisael Jaramillo riding, American Prince did not break on top, but he broke well enough and took over the lead from Naco soon after the start. After being chased by Naco through a half-mile in 45.46 seconds, he drew off to win decisively over Harvard, who rallied late. Harvard won two of his next three races, which included a first-level win at Churchill where he was given a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.
In his latest start on July 30, Harvard finished fourth in the $120,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga. The mile and an eighth race was restricted to 3-year-olds who had not won a graded race at a mile or over in 2021.
American Prince will have to deal with other speed in the field. How he holds up to what figures to be considerable pressure will give us a good indication of the kind of future the Kentucky-bred son of Liam could have.
The speed of the speed is the Kathleen O’Connell-trained The Distractor, who took them all the way at this level July 9 and then got fried in a duel when he finished third in a similar race going 6 1/2 furlongs Aug. 8.
Democracy, who rallied to finish second in the same race The Distractor exits, will not mind the shape of the race and could be sitting on a big effort in his second start following a layoff for trainer Antonio Sano.