Big Rock in good spot to rebound

Big Rock did not fire when he made his 2018 debut at Gulfstream Park on March 22, but with a race behind him he could be a handful when he runs in a $62,500 optional race at Gulfstream Thursday.

The five-furlong turf sprint has second-level allowance conditions and is also open to horses which have not won a race on the turf since Nov. 3. A four-time winner, Big Rock fits the latter clause as he is looking for his first victory since he rallied to win an $80,000 optionalclaiming race at Saratoga going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf Aug. 3.

Big Rock followed up his win at the Spa with a third-place finish in the restricted $100,000 Lucky Coin there Sept. 1 and then went on the shelf. Trained by Christophe Clement, Big Rock was right there in all of his races last year, so it was a bit surprising to see him finish last in his comeback race. He was facing a solid field, though, and the runner-up, Focus On Me, returned to win a $62,500 optional race with an 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

If Big Rock runs his usual race, he should be sitting in a stalking position just off what could be a fast and contested pace. He will be ridden from post 3 with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.

Given his disappointing effort in his return it would be hard to use Big Rock as a single in the Rainbow 6, which begins on race 4 with a $795,988 carryover.

KEY CONTENDERS

Big Rock, by Rockport Harbor

Last 3 Beyers: 65-89-96

◗ Toss his last race and he is the horse to beat. He is certainly eligible to improve in his second start back, and adding to his appeal are three bullet interim works at Payson Park training center.

High Hours, by Put It Back

Last 3 Beyers: 89-76-NA

◗ This will be his third start in North America, and he probably would have won his first, which came at Arlington Park for trainer Wesley Ward, with a clean trip.

◗ A Grade 3 winner in Brazil, he will be making his first start for trainer Ralph Nicks and his first since he finished sixth in a $62,500 optional-claiming race at Saratoga July 22, losing by 1 1/2 lengths.

Moonwalker, by Congrats

Last 3 Beyers: 86-78-70

◗ Trained by Monte Brinsley, he hasn’t won since 2016, but he ran well in both of his races this year and probably would have been victorious with a clean trip in his last start.

◗ He showed in that last start, a race similar to Thursday’s, that he doesn’t need to be in the mix early, so jockey Luca Panici can choose how to ride him after he leaves the starting gate from the outside post in the six-horse field. If he does break on top he could be tough to reel in if he gets the jump on Ray’swarrior.

Ray’swarrior, by Majestic Warrior

Last 3 Beyers: 31-88-76

◗ The 6-year-old Florida-bred could be dangerous making his initial start of the year and first for trainer Jason Servis, who has solid numbers in all the relevant categories.