Croft hoping feature moves to Tapeta

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Barry Croft says rain is badly needed in South Florida after a couple of months of drought, and oh by the way, it wouldn’t hurt if the four races scheduled for turf Sunday at Gulfstream had to move to the Tapeta. The local forecast is calling for an 80 percent chance of rain.

“We really need it,” said Croft, who just so happens to have Hope in Him, the Gulfstream record-holder for five furlongs over Tapeta, entered in an $86,000 allowance that anchors a 10-race Sunday card.

All kidding aside, the Gulfstream turf is showing signs of the effects of minimal rain in this region this winter.

“It’s been pretty sandy and loose because of how dry it’s been around here,” said Croft.

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Even if the featured ninth race stays on turf, Hope in Him would stand an excellent chance in the field of eight older horses going five furlongs. High Front, one of the top contenders, is likely to scratch, according to his trainer, Jonathan Thomas, which would leave fellow Florida-breds Unsociable and Biz Biz Buzz as the chief opposition for Hope in Him.

Croft, 52, claimed Hope in Him for $12,500 from an October victory over the Tapeta for the Ocala-based Kick Start Farm of Dennis Harney and family. The 4-year-old Chitu gelding proceeded to win his next three races, all on Tapeta, capped by a five-furlong romp Jan. 21 in a track-record 55.05 seconds that graded out to a 94 Beyer Figure.

Hope in Him “is absolutely cranked up,” Croft said

“The last three days, we’ve had to pony him with the rider because he’s just been a handful,” he added.

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