Blasphemy's last race points him out in allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – They’re saving the best for last on Friday’s card, with the main event to go as the ninth and final race on the program. The 1 1/16-mile entry-level allowance test is for Florida-breds.

The headliner also serves as the final leg of the Rainbow 6, which continues to progress toward a mandatory payout on Sunday.

Blasphemy will likely go postward the favorite on the strength of his sharp second-place finish here Aug. 16 behind Scraps, who flattered the effort by returning to upset the $100,000 Bear’s Den Stakes on Saturday.

Blasphemy had to steady awaiting racing room approaching and entering the stretch on Aug. 16, surged to a brief lead between calls once clear nearing midstretch, but proved no match for the final surge of Scraps, while well clear of the others. Blasphemy, claimed by trainer Bob Hess Jr. for $16,000 on June 30, earned a career-best 83 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He ran awesome the other day, kind of exceeded what I thought he’d do, and I think he’s in a good spot Friday,” Hess said. “And it certainly made me feel good to see Scraps come back and win the stakes like that.”

Blasphemy will likely have to run down the speedy pair of Souper Jaguar and I Turn a Night Up, both of whom finished second under similar conditions after relinquishing clear leads through the stretch in their latest start.

Trainer Mark Casse will take the blinkers off Souper Jaguar, who was beaten a length by the favorite Great Kahuna going 7 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 7. Like Balsphemy, he proved much the best of the others.

Souper Jaguar is likely to get tested early by I Turn a Night Up who also does his best on the lead. He reluctantly relinquished a clear advantage through midstretch when collared by the 2-1 favorite Spanned nearing the wire going a mile on Aug. 3.

Post time Friday is 2:15 p.m.