Bonita formidable despite record in Sunday turf feature

Having raced eight times with only a single victory, Bonita does not have a record that is typical of a favorite in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park. But a closer examination of her past performances reveals that she is a legitimate public choice in Sunday’s ninth race, a $37,000, first-level allowance for Florida-breds at a mile on turf.

For starters, Bonita has never been in a race restricted to statebreds. All of her races have come in open company except one, in which she sputtered over a synthetic surface in Ocala, Fla., in a race for horses who went through local sales.

Overall, she has run well, hitting the board three times in allowances and even managing a couple of thirds in stakes on grass, including in the Christmas Past Stakes last out June 11 at Gulfstream. Rallying from 11th, she closed to finish 5 1/2 lengths behind the victorious Sharp Kitten.

What she lacks is speed, being a filly who regularly comes from the rear half of the pack. Miguel Vasquez rides for trainer Chad Stewart and owner Mario Silva.

Not short on early quickness is Standard Deal, one of her principal rivals. She is regularly on or near the lead and, being a 4-year-old, is a bit more mature than the 3-year-old Bonita.

Key Contenders

Aly Cruise, by Admiral’s Cruise
Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-65

◗ Although prone to settling for minor awards, she has proven a regular factor in similar Florida-bred allowance races on grass at Gulfstream, with a second June 9 and a third June 30.

Sweet Miri, by Sweet Return
Last 3 Beyers: 74-70-59

◗ After going through a slump from December through April, she has rebounded with three consecutive on-the-board finishes, capped by a runner-up finish against similar opposition June 30, when she finished a half-length in front of Aly Cruise.

Bonita, by Bluegrass Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 74-75-67

◗ Exited the Christmas Past Stakes on June 11, when she ran third, 2 1/4 lengths behind runner-up Temple Fur, who returned to win the Betsy Ross Stakes at Gulfstream by 3 1/2 lengths on July 4.

Standard Deal, by Consolidator
Last 3 Beyers: 64-75-72

◗ After not firing when rated off the pace in her last race June 19, she might be cut loose early in an attempt to dictate the pace. Using that style, she finished second in a race against open, first-level claimers May 30.