The Best Candy streaks into allowance

Will The Best Candy be overlooked again when he goes for his fourth straight win in a first-level allowance race that has a $16,000 claiming option at Gulfstream Park West on Friday? He paid $90.20, $24.80, and $14 in his last three victories, and with Deputy Czar in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, there is a good chance The Best Candy won’t be favored. Be Gone Daddy will also attract some wagering in the seven-horse field, which goes as race 6 on a nine-race card beginning at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

The Best Candy, trained by Jamie Meija, started his streak with a huge upset when he came from last to win a $30,000 conditional claiming race going six furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 21. He proved the shocking win was no fluke when, running over a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park West, he finished with a rush to win a $50,000 conditional claimer on Oct. 4. Returning a week later on Oct. 11, he came from a stalking position to win a one-mile $35,000 starter race with a $50,000 claiming option.

The 80 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his latest win is the best in his career, so he might not have reached his peak.

The Best Candy will break from the outside post with Hector Berrios, who has been aboard for all three wins in his streak, retaining the mount.

The shape of the race could favor Deputy Czar, who is coming off a runner-up finish for trainer Charles Simon in a similar race at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 9. It was his first try with winners. In his maiden win, a 9 1/2-length romp, he was second early before taking the lead at the six-furlong mark in the one-mile race.

There isn’t a lot of pure speed in the field and he could be the one they have to run down from post 2 with Paco Lopez aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Deputy Czar, by Tapizar
Last 3 Beyers: 73-82-76

◗ That was an impressive win two back, and in his latest he was rank early when Samy Camacho tried to ease him off of what turned out to be a slow pace.

◗ With an aggressive ride by Paco Lopez, he could be gone.

The Best Candy, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-76

◗ His win prices are going down, but his Beyers are going up, and he showed more speed in his latest win. He is also perfect in two starts over this surface.

Be Gone Daddy, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 75-49-75

◗ Trained by Marcus Vitali, he was running on dirt for the first time when he finished second to The Best Candy on Oct. 4.

◗ The first foal out of a mare who won a couple of route stakes in California, he could thrive in his first try at a middle distance.