Blue Harbor, Stockyard meet in turf allowance

Blue Harbor was returning from a two-month layoff when he was the runner-up in a $35,000 starter/optional-claiming race Oct. 12 at Gulfstream Park West. With a race behind him, he could be a handful in a first-level allowance race Saturday.

The main threat to Blue Harbor, Stockyard, will have to work out a trip after he breaks from the outside post in the one-mile turf race that drew 12 horses.

Blue Harbor hasn’t run a bad race this year. They have all been on Gulfstream Park’s turf, and he’s been a good claim for trainer David Fawkes, who haltered him on behalf of Vincent Domino on March 30.

Domino was rewarded April 20 with a win in a $30,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two. Blue Harbor has been right there in every race since, including a win in a $30,000 conditional claimer July 9.

In his most recent start, going 7 1/2 furlongs, he opened a lead in midstretch on the horses with riders still aboard but couldn’t hold off Grade 3 stakes winner Quiet Force in the final sixteenth. Bingo Bango Bongo, who lost his rider leaving the starting gate, didn’t appear to cause any serious interference. Nonetheless, Blue Harbor was chasing him in the stretch; it could have been a different story if he was the one being chased.

Emisael Jaramillo picks up the mount from apprentice Lane Luzzi. Blue Harbor is versatile, and Jaramillo will have more than one option after he breaks from post 6.

Stockyard, trained by Todd Pletcher, is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes in first-level allowance races at Monmouth Park on Aug. 19 and Gulfstream on Sept. 24. His race at Monmouth was a key race, with four horses coming back to win their next race.

KEY CONTENDERS

Blue Harbor, by Rockport Harbor
Last 3 Beyers: 85-79-83

◗ The consistent 4-year-old earned his best Beyer Speed Figure in his most recent start, so it is possible that he could bounce. There is also a good chance that he is sitting on another big race for Fawkes, who is winning races at a 24 percent clip at the meet.

Stockyard, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 81-82-42

◗ Nothing but solid efforts in his last four starts on turf. The main concern is what kind of trip he is going to get breaking from the 12 hole. It won’t hurt that leading rider Edgard Zayas retains the mount.

Vendita, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 80-82-65

◗ Trained by Patrick Biancone, she is facing boys but will appreciate the class relief after not being able to keep up in the $75,000 Panama City, won by Josdesanimaux, who earned a 97 Beyer.