Bruna has speed and upside in weak field
Adding Tuesday to this week’s schedule at Gulfstream Park West has thinned out the card for Wednesday, when a $20,000 claiming sprint for 2-year-olds is the only race that isn’t a conditional claimer or a maiden-claiming race.
There are decent betting opportunities, though, and Bruna might be worth taking a shot with in race 1, a $16,000 claiming race for fillies and mares who haven’t won two races. The 1 1/16-mile turf race drew seven horses and kicks off the eight-race card at 12:35 p.m. Eastern.
Trained by Efren Loza Jr., Bruna was sent off as a lukewarm favorite when she debuted in a $12,500 maiden-claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 25. Breaking from post 10 in the 11-horse field, Bruna didn’t take long to open up a clear lead in the one-mile race turf race. She was in front by 5 1/2 lengths after a half-mile in 48.10 seconds and held a three-length advantage at the eighth pole. Under mild urging from Martin Ramirez, she drew off and won by 4 1/4 lengths over Solidaire.
Solidaire romped in the slop in her next start, a $10,000 maiden-claiming race that was washed off the turf at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 29.
Ramirez retains the mount on Bruna, who is 5-1 on the track’s morning line, and likely will call on her good speed from the outside post.
KEY CONTENDERS
Bruna, by Unbridled’s Song
Beyer: 54
◗ She appeared to have something left when she won her debut and came back with a solid move Oct. 29, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see her take a big step forward with a race behind her.
◗ There isn’t a lot of obvious speed in the race, and she could be gone if she breaks on top.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Since 2013, Loza has a 57 percent strike rate and a $3.34 ROI with debut winners making their second start.
Likeagirl, by Cat Thief
Last 3 Beyers: 60-57-51
◗ Her only win came over a muddy track in a race washed off the grass at Gulfstream on May 19, but she is dropping to a new low following an improved effort on grass in a $25,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two at Belmont Park on Sept. 16.
◗ Trained by Jena Antonucci, she is reunited with leading rider Edgard Zayas, who was aboard for her victory at Gulfstream.
Be Sure Lisa, by Brother Derek
Last 3 Beyers: 67-59-68
◗ The 3-1 morning-line favorite, she is trained by Jaime Mejia and is coming off a runner-up finish in a $10,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two at Gulfstream on Sept. 30. With one win in 25 career starts and no wins in 16 outings this year, she is hard to love on top at a short price.