Basha's latest win better than it appears on paper

MIAMI – A 1-9 shot is generally expected to win by more than the 1 1/2-length margin that Basha held at the end of Thursday’s seven-furlong allowance feature at Gulfstream Park West. But for those who watched the race, it was about as impressive a 1 1/2-length victory as you’ll ever see.

Basha had to overcome a brutal trip while making just his second career start for trainer Gilberto Zerpa. Basha, a 2-year-old son of Uncle Mo, got steadied and shuffled back to last in the seven-horse field in the run down the backstretch, angled six to seven paths wide while launching his bid on the final turn and into the stretch, and then continued on gamely to wear down the pacesetting Red Crescent and register his second victory in as many starts.

Basha rallied from closer up to capture his debut by nearly eight lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs last month.

“He got bumped a bunch of times but clearly showed he was superior to all the others yesterday,” Zerpa said through an interpreter Friday. “He got a pretty good education in that race, and I’m very happy with his performance.”

Zerpa said Basha, who was purchased for $230,000 out of the OBS March sale by Gelfenstein Farm, likely will stretch out to at least a mile in his next start.

“I think he’ll like even more distance the way he runs,” said Zerpa. “We’ll look around for a spot. It could be here, or it could be out of town.”

Zerpa also is likely to head out of town with Dearest, the 3-year-old filly who finished second in the Grade 2 Prioress last month at Saratoga. A two-time stakes winner, Dearest had her first work since the Prioress this week at Gulfstream Park West, an easy half-mile in 50 seconds, and could start in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland next Saturday, Zerpa said.

◗ Trainer Jose Pinchin said his undefeated 2-year-old sensation Three Rules will have just one work prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, next Saturday at Gulfstream Park, one day before he ships to Santa Anita. Three Rules, who swept the Florida Sire Series virtually unchallenged, recently returned to Gulfstream from Ocala, Fla., where he spent several days as a precautionary measure when Hurricane Matthew passed through the area last week.