Buddy's Run faces tougher test at Gulfstream

We should get a good idea about the future of Buddy’s Run when he runs at Gulfstream Park Thursday. Buddy’s Run, making his second start, goes in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds that drew five horses. The six-furlong sprint goes as race 2 on a 10-race card that begins at approximately 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

Trained by Ralph Nicks, Buddy’s Run could not have been more impressive winning his debut by 10 1/4 lengths April 4. However, he was beating up on a weak group of $50,000 maiden claimers, and the 56 Beyer Speed Figure he received is not going to scare anybody. Nonetheless, it was the way he won the six-furlong dash that suggests his future could be bright.

With Edgard Zayas aboard, Buddy’s Run broke well from post 2 in the four-horse field, but after dueling for the lead from the inside of Lawyer Drill, he dropped back and was last going into the turn. After gathering himself, Buddy’s Run made a strong four-wide move around the turn and then drew off in the stretch. The margin could have been wider, but Zayas geared him down in the final sixteenth of a mile.

Considering how well he ran when he moved to the outside, he could get the right kind of trip breaking from post 5 Thursday with Zayas retaining the mount.

Liam Lets Go is the one he will have to beat, and the Kathy Ritvo-trained Florida-bred could end up favored.

Liam Lets Go has yet to run a bad race in five starts and figures to move forward in his second start of the year. In his initial outing this year he came from a stalking position to win a first-level allowance race for Florida-breds April 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

Buddy’s Run, by Street Sense

Beyer: 56

◗ The first foal out of an unraced mare, he showed a lot of potential in his debut. He has three solid interim works, and Nicks appears to have him primed for another strong showing. The water is a lot deeper, but he might be up to the task and drew the perfect post for his running style.

Liam Lets Go, by He’s Had Enough

Last 3 Beyers: 74-55-40

◗ Being the second foal out of a stakes-placed mare who won five races and earned $188,200, he could have some upside.

◗ After winning a maiden special weight race for Florida-breds in his final start as a 2-year-old, he took a huge step forward in his first start as a 3-year-old. If he can continue to progress he could be a handful with Emisael Jaramillo riding him for the first time.

Running for Riz

Last 3 Beyers: 58-70-28

◗ The Salvatore Santoro trainee faded after dueling in his latest, but he looks like the one they will have to run down, and he almost took them all the way when he was the runner-up in Liam Lets Go’s victory April 5.

◗ Considering he was wearing blinkers in his lone win, he could be dangerous with the shades going back from the inside post.