Bluegrass Singer first time for a tag in turf feature
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Bluegrass Singer, who has made all 10 of his starts during his 3-year-old season against stakes company, will come up tagged and take on older horses for the first time if he runs in Friday’s $46,000 main event at Gulfstream Park, a second-level optional $62,500 claimer at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf.
Bluegrass Singer won the Mucho Macho Man in his 3-year-old debut here on New Year’s Day and the Parx Derby in May, both on the main track, but is on a five-race losing streak. His three most recent starts have all been against graded stakes competition. He is winless in three tries on turf.
“I’m not sure if we’re going to run. I just wanted to see how the race came up before making a decision,” said trainer Marcus Vitali. “What I was really hoping is that the race would come off the turf. He’s doing well. I just don’t think he got the best of trips in some of his recent starts. Luck wasn’t really on our side in those last few races.”
If he does run, Bluegrass Singer figures to be a major pace presence in the race, which won’t enhance the chances of likely favorite Joes Blazing Aaron, who comes off a second-place finish in the Eight Miles East seven weeks ago. Joes Blazing Aaron, whose best races have all come on the lead, led throughout to defeat a similar field of optional-claiming foes going a mile here as the odds-on favorite June 18.
Rompin Reid returns to turf for the first time in his last four starts and would benefit from an honest pace, as would Hard Enough, who defeated first-level allowance company in impressive fashion over the grass here Aug. 8.
Race 8
Key Contenders
Joes Blazing Aaron (Last 3 Beyers: 92-90-90)
◗ Easily holds a Beyer Speed Figure edge on this field but shows only a pair of three-eighths works since the Eight Miles East.
Bluegrass Singer (Last 3 Beyers: 72-85-44)
◗ Was considered good enough earlier this year to start in the two key preps for the Grade 1 Florida Derby, finishing third in the Holy Bull and sixth in the Fountain of Youth after contesting the pace in both races.
Rompin Reid (Last 3 Beyers: 79-60-64)
◗ Makes the third start of his form cycle. He ran a sharp second against similarly valued optional-claiming company with an 89 Beyer on turf here last winter.
Hard Enough (Last 3 Beyers: 81-84-74)
◗ In the best form of his career but likely will have to step it up from a Beyer standpoint to compete at this level.