Bettors may prefer long-idle Gimlet to 10-time winner Lucky Kitten

MIAMI – Lucky Kitten has won 10 of his 30 career starts, including three victories this season. Gimlet is just 1 for 5 lifetime and has not raced since April 29. So which one figures to be favored when they square off at a mile on turf in Friday’s first-level optional $25,000 claiming feature at Gulfstream Park West?

The bet here is the lightly raced Gimlet, part of trainer Todd Pletcher’s powerhouse barn. Gimlet already has graded-stakes experience, having finished a late-charging fifth in the Grade 3 Palm Beach last winter at Gulfstream Park.

Gimlet is also extremely well-bred for turf. He’s by Lemon Drop Kid out of a Danzig mare and a half-brother to the three-time graded stakes winner Aurelia’s Belle.

The 3-year-old Gimlet, who will be facing older rivals for the first time, has not started since finishing third as the 8-5 favorite under entry-level allowance conditions at Keeneland more than six months ago. He shows six works in preparation for his return.

Lucky Kitten has been a very popular item at the claim box over the past 11 months, having changed hands five times for prices ranging between $16,000 and $25,000 since arriving here from Kentucky last December. Currently running for trainer Fernando Abreu, Lucky Kitten won at this level rather easily at Gulfstream on June 23 and remains eligible because he will again compete under a $25,000 price tag on Friday.

George Cross has shown a penchant for finishing second, with 12 runner-up finishes and just four wins during his 36-race career. George Cross, who has been a regular on the New Jersey circuit the past two seasons, has done the bulk of his racing in the claiming ranks.

Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Gimlet by Lemon Drop Kid

Last 3 Beyers: 74-72-82

◗ He rallied from the rear of the field to finish less than a length behind runner-up Giant Run, now a three-time stakes winner, in the Palm Beach.

FORMULATOR FACT: Pletcher owns a sterling 36 percent strike rate with horses coming off layoffs of six months or longer over the past five years in a sample size of nearly 200 starters, for a return on investment of $2.01.

Lucky Kitten by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 75-56-88

◗ His recent form has been on the dull side, although Forall the Marbles, who beat him just a head at a mile at Gulfstream West on Oct. 19, returned to post a career-best Beyer Speed Figure while missing by a neck against mid-level starter allowance opposition in his next start.

George Cross by Grand Reward

Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-84

◗ He switches from a 15 percent trainer to Bobby Dibona, who has won with 26 percent of his starters this year and already has a win from just two starters at this meet.