Captain Ron will be in the picture late in turf sprint

There is a lot to like about Captain Ron. After all, the 8-year-old Florida-bred horse by Speightstown has been a gem of consistency throughout his career, compiling a 6-7-5 record from 22 starts.

All but one of those races came on turf. He began his career in Southern California in 2017 with a second-place finish running on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields. Since returning to his home state in 2019, he has been part of the trifecta in 15 of 17 starts, and in one of his races he finished fourth, just a head behind the third-place horse.

At the least, we know he will be giving his best shot when he runs in a first-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option that will serve as the feature race Friday at Gulfstream Park. The five-furlong sprint drew eight horses for turf. Combination becomes the one to beat in the unlikely event the race is moved to the main track. Multiple weather reports call for sunshine, so the track should be fast and the turf firm for the nine-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

Trained by Rohan Crichton, Captain Ron is coming off a troubled third-place finish going five furlongs on turf at the same level April 3. Ridden by Miguel Vasquez, Captain Ron was one of the last to leave the starting gate and bumped into Weekend Dreamer when he angled toward the rail while starting to make his move on the turn. He finished well to get up for third, but he never really threatened the winner, Monte Ne, and second-place The Virginian.

Paco Lopez picks up the mount and was aboard for Captain Ron’s victory in his previous race, a $16,000 starter allowance on March 5.

Captain Ron will break from post 4.

The Virginian could end up favored. Trained by Steve Klesaris, The Virginian has more speed than Captain Ron and could be the one they will have to run down if he breaks alertly from post 2 with leading rider Edgard Zayas up. Zayas was aboard when The Virginian dueled Smoke Alarm into defeat before holding on gamely to finish a half-length behind Monte Ne and just less than a length in front of Captain Ron on April 3.

The 4-year-old gelding by Prospective could be sitting on a big effort in his third start for Klesaris and third as an older horse.

Klesaris also is represented by Kantharos’ Image, who could pull off a small upset if he shows up with his best stuff. Kantharos’ Image, an 8-year-old gelding by Kantharos out of Skiff’s Image, was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione when he came from midpack in a 12-horse field to win a $25,000 conditioned claiming race on March 14.

Emisael Jaramillo picks up the mount.