Choctaw Chuck goes from longshot to possible top choice in Gin Rummy

Choctaw Chuck’s odds figure to do a complete reversal Saturday when he runs in the $90,000 Gin Rummy Champ at Gulfstream Park West. He could start as the first or second choice one race after taking on the high-class No Nay Never as a 36-1 longshot in the Grade 3 Woodford at Keeneland.

The Gin Rummy will be run over five furlongs on turf. The race for 3-year-olds and up drew 11, with Take Time to Pray entered for the main track only. Determinato, a two-time stakes winner, will start as a top choice, as could the promising Speechify.

Key contenders

Choctaw Chuck (Last 3 Beyers: 70-93-72)

* He caught a Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint-bound rival in No Nay Never in the Woodford, a 5 1/2-furlong race in which Choctaw Chuck pushed a quick pace over good turf before finishing ninth. One start earlier, Choctaw Chuck put up a career-high Beyer Speed Figure when he was third in an $80,000 optional claimer at seven furlongs on turf at Belmont Park.

* Choctaw Chuck has tactical speed and could get an ideal tracking trip behind Dedicated to Bob, a speedster who breaks to his immediate inside Saturday.

* Jose Garcia has the mount on Choctaw Chuck for Clyde Rice and trainer Kevin Rice.

* Choctaw Chuck’s fall work tab includes a five-eighths drill in a blazing 57 seconds Sept. 11 at Presque Isle. He won the $100,000 Tom Ridge over the track in May.

* Choctaw Chuck is a 3-year-old by Bwana Charlie and a half-brother to Singlet, a multiple stakes-winning earner of $330,394.

Determinato (Last 3 Beyers: 92-77-74)

* He will attract attention as the owner of the field’s best last-race Beyer, earned for a 2 3/4-length win over some of these in a $25,000 optional claimer on turf Sept. 18 at Gulfstream.

* As a two-time stakes winner, he’s arguably the most accomplished member of the field. The only other horse who can claim as many stakes scores is Partyallnightlong.

Speechify (Last 3 Beyers: 86-92-73)

* A winner of 3 of 5 starts, he shows a nice series of works for what will be his first outing since winning a $35,000 optional-claiming sprint Jan. 23 at Gulfstream.

* Speechify is making his turf debut, and his sire, Harlan’s Holiday, is getting 13 percent winners from his first-time turfers and 13 percent winners overall on the grass.