Cautious Giant stands out on class drop

Cautious Giant towers over his opponents in a $40,000 optional-claiming race that headlines Friday’s nine-race program at Gulfstream Park. An 11-time winner, he is not eligible for the nonwinners-of-three allowance conditions of the six-furlong dash that drew seven horses.

A gem of consistency, Cautious Giant has finished in the top three in 15 of his 20 starts going six furlongs, and the 8-year-old Kentucky-bred will appreciate the easier company after finishing sixth in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint on June 29.

Making his fourth start for trainer Victor Barboza Jr., Cautious Giant broke alertly in the Smile and was eased into a stalking position by Emisael Jaramillo. He looked like a serious threat at the top of the stretch but hung late, losing by 2 3/4 lengths to Diamond Oops, who rallied late.

He began his stint with Barboza with a win in a $35,000 conditioned claimer on April 14, and he received a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure for his win at this level in his next start May 17. He came back with another strong effort in the $75,000 Opening Lead Stakes, where he was the runner-up to Fast Pass.

Cautious Giant is versatile, and he should get a nice trip from a forward position. He will break from post 4 with seven-pound apprentice Cristian Torres riding.

The main threat is Florida Cotton. The 5-year-old Florida-bred is perfect in two starts for trainer Elizabeth Dobles, who is on fire with four wins from six starters at the meet.

KEY CONTENDERS

Cautious Giant, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-100

◗ He stands out from a Beyer Speed Figure perspective, and he not only gets some class relief, but it won’t hurt that he is shedding some weight with Torres riding.

Florida Cotton, by High Cotton
Last 3 Beyers: 77-74-71

◗ With rising Beyers, he is clearly trending in the right direction for a hot trainer, and he should be full of confidence following his blowout win in a first-level allowance race with a $16,000 claiming option June 2.

◗ In his other start for Dobles, he dead-heated for the win with Colormepompom in a first-level allowance race with a $12,500 claiming option for Florida-breds on May 11. Acting on behalf of Imaginary Stables, Dobles claimed him for $35,000 out of the race Cautious Giant won on April 14. He has undoubtedly improved since then.

◗ He will break from post 2 with leading rider Edgard Zayas retaining the mount.

My Friend Flavin, by Forestry
Last 3 Beyers: 79-61-67

◗ The 7-year-old Louisiana-bred likes the local surface, and the last time he ran at this level, he was much the best but was disqualified and placed second for forcing his way to the lead and bumping repeatedly with Diddley in June 2018.

◗ Trained by Leo Gabriel, he can fire fresh and looked good winning a $25,000 conditioned claimer in his last start May 10.

◗ He also may have been trying to tell us something when he worked a sharp half-mile in 47.80 seconds June 28.

◗ Luca Panici will be aboard when he breaks from the outside post.