Competitive claimer shows Gulfstream's summer specialty

According to track officials, the mutuel handle is up at the spring-summer meet at Gulfstream Park, and races like the ninth on Friday illustrate why. A good betting race, it is indicative of the type of competition seen at the South Florida oval since many of the top horses on the East Coast headed north following the end of the winter-spring meet in early April.

The $30,000 conditional-claiming race on turf drew 12 horses, with two more on the also-eligible list, including Classic Move, who becomes a serious player if he gets to run. The nine-race card begins at 2:15 p.m. Eastern with a $20,513 carryover in the super high five.

Dream Shot likely will be favored going 7 1/2 furlongs in race 9.

Trained by Robert Dibona, the 3-year-old Kentucky-bred is coming off a two-length victory over Kinghood going the same distance in a $16,000 conditional claimer on July 28. It was his second win in his last three starts, and his other score came going 7 1/2 furlongs on June 17, when he earned a career-best 89 Beyer Speed Figure and won by 10 lengths.

Sandwiched between the two wins was a sixth-place finish in a one-mile $16,000 starter race on July 4. The winner, Love Conquers, won a $25,000 optional claimer in his next start and was the runner-up in the $75,000 Tortugas Stakes on Aug. 19.

Dream Shot fits a lot better in this spot and could be tough to handle if he retains his form.

He drew post 10 with Jilver Chamafi picking up the mount from leading rider Tyler Gaffalione, who has mounts in a couple of New York-bred stakes races at Saratoga.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dream Shot, by Trappe Shot
Last 3 Beyers: 82-73-89

◗ He took them all the way in his first two victories, but he showed his versatility when he came from a stalking position to win his latest.

◗ He drew a tough post, but he could get a nice trip from a stalking position if he can avoid going too wide around the first turn, which comes up soon after the start.

Mr French, by Mr. Sidney
Last 3 Beyers: 67-73-65

◗ He had raced exclusively on turf prior to winning his last two starts, which came over sloppy tracks in races washed off the grass. His chances improve if it comes up wet, but he could be dangerous on any surface.

◗ He makes his second start for trainer Edwin Broome, who claimed him for $16,000 on July 13.

Kinghood, by Proud Citizen
Last 3 Beyers: 78-69-75

◗ Trained by Francisco D’Angelo, he set the pace before giving in late to Dream Shot on July 28 and he could be the one they have to run down. He breaks from post 2 with Leonel Reyes retaining the mount.