Class drop makes Inside Out formidable

Inside Out will appreciate the class relief when she runs in a $62,500 optional-claiming race with second-level allowance conditions at Gulfstream Park Friday. The easier company and a switch to high-percentage trainer Danny Gargan makes her the one to beat in the 7 1/2-furlong dash on turf for fillies and mares, which drew eight horses.

Inside Out is looking for her first victory since March 30, 2017, when she rallied to win a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming race at this level on the Gulfstream turf course for trainer Martin Wolfson. Four of her next five starts came in stakes races, and her last two were in Grade 3’s. She finished fifth in the My Charmer Dec. 16, and fourth in the Marshua’s River Jan. 13.

The My Charmer was the tougher of the two races, with On Leave winning the one-mile race on turf and Stormy Victoria finishing third. Stormy Victoria came back to win the $125,000 South Beach at Gulfstream. On Leave narrowly missed while finishing third as the favorite in the Grade 3 Honey Fox at Gulfstream last Saturday. Stormy Victoria finished fifth in the Honey Fox.

Inside Out is a deep closer, and there should be enough speed to set up her good late kick.

She will break from post 2 with Juan Batista riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Inside Out, by Colonel John

Last 3 Beyers: 89-89-71

◗ The Kentucky-bred 6-year-old is capable of firing fresh. She was coming off an 11-month break when she won a $32,000 optional-claiming race at Pimlico in 2016, and she was also victorious coming off a two-month absence in a race washed off the turf at Delaware in 2015.

drf FORMULATOR FACT: The past five years, Gargan has a 24 percent strike rate and $3.42 ROI with new shooters that were coming back from 61-180 days. Gargan is also winning races at a 33 percent clip this year.

Princess Gibraltar, by Rock of Gibraltar

Last 3 Beyers: 89-79-n/a

◗ The 5-year-old French-bred trained by Christophe Clement is coming off a last-place finish in a four-horse field in a $100,000 optional-claiming race at Belmont Park Oct. 6, but it was a better effort than it sounds. She was taken in hand early in the one-mile race on turf, and the four horses in the field never changed positions. She was running at the end, however, and lost by only 1 1/2 lengths. Tricky Escape, who finished a neck in front of her in third, came back to win the off-the-turf Grade 3 Cardinal Handicap at Churchill Downs Nov. 18.

◗ A three-time winner in France, Princess Gibraltar makes her third start in the U.S.

Katinka, by Kantharos

Last 3 Beyers: 68-84-79

◗ Trained by Michael Yates, she has a solid 2-1-1 record at the distance and could be dangerous as the main speed.