Class drop makes Girolamo's Attack one to beat in Friday allowance
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A little class relief could go a long way toward getting Girolamo’s Attack back to the winner’s circle for the first time in more than six months in Friday’s $52,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park. The eight-race program also includes a five-furlong allowance on turf restricted to Florida-breds, race 3.
Girolamo’s Attack, 5, has gone winless in three starts since posting the second of two straight overnight handicap victories here Nov. 21. Both those tallies came at a mile. Friday’s race is at 6 1/2 furlongs.
Girolamo’s Attack led throughout and registered a one-length decision over even-money Fearless in November. Fearless flattered the effort by going on to win two Grade 3 stakes and finishing second in a pair of Grade 2 events in five subsequent appearances. Girolamo’s Attack, on the other hand, has regressed in his last three outings, having been beaten double-digit lengths as the 6-5 choice in the Claiming Crown Jewel and a combined 19 1/2 lengths in his only two outings this season, the Grade 3 Fred Hooper and most recently the seven-furlong Sir Shackleton on April 2.
While Girolamo’s Attack is clearly the class of this field, he still has questions to answer as a likely short-priced favorite. One is whether the distance is suitable. He finished far back in his only two starts going 6 1/2 furlongs.
Those who see Girolamo’s Attack as vulnerable may turn to Senor Jobim and Thinkaboutit as alternatives. Each exits a game victory.
Senor Jobim returned quick dividends off the claim for trainer Rasharn Creque. Haltered for $35,000 out of a second-place finish following a race-long pace duel Feb. 19, Senor Jobim showed a new dimension when he overcame a slow start and rallied from a half-dozen lengths back to run down the odds-on King Cab for a half-length triumph in his initial appearance for Creque and Amaty Racing Stables. He was scratched from an overnight handicap on the turf here last Saturday to await this spot.
Thinkaboutit led at every call and held off Straight Shot to capture a lower-level optional-claiming and allowance dash nearly two months ago for his second win in three starts on the year. Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., Thinkaboutit posted a career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure, a number he may have to repeat if he’s to continue his winning ways Friday.
Legal Deal scratched out of Saturday’s Musical Romance Stakes to run against this easier competition. Completing the field are outsiders Brewmeister, Golden Juan, and Joe Di Baggio.
◗ Full Disclosure, the only 3-year-old in the lineup, may prove the one to catch as part of the handicapping puzzle that is Friday’s third race. The lightly raced gelding will be making his grass debut and is certainly bred for the surface, being a full sister to a couple of proven turf sprinters, including the multiple stakes winner Cajun Casanova.
Other major players include Indy Lyon, getting ample class relief dropping in with statebreds after being overmatched in his most recent try, The Great Kath, and Fully Loaded. Outsiders Richy, Exchange Day, and Trinni Summer complete the lineup.