Clapton gets extra furlong in Florida-bred allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A first-level allowance for Florida-bred 3-year-olds will anchor a modest nine-race Thursday card at Gulfstream, where a 50 percent chance of rain is in the local forecast. If necessary, turf racing (races 4, 6, 9) will move to the Tapeta.

Either way, the $54,000 feature (race 8) will go unaffected on the main track. A field of six is headed by Clapton, an Arindel homebred who was beaten a nose earlier this month under nearly identical conditions. That race was at 6 1/2 furlongs, whereas the Thursday headliner is at seven furlongs.

Speedier rivals Calculated Breeze and Due Vini figure to facilitate the late kick of Clapton and help make him a solid favorite. Sunsanddrinkinhand also rates a solid chance after being gelded following a debut victory at Parx Racing in late January.

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The feature is part of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (races 4-9), which will have a gross pool guarantee of at least $300,000, assuming the jackpot wasn’t swept by a solo winner Wednesday, when the actual carryover stood at $184,549.

◗ The highlights of the coming weekend at Gulfstream are the Texas Glitter for 3-year-olds and Melody of Colors for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday. Each is worth $75,000.