De la Cerda has Kroy in top form for Tortugas Stakes

Horseplayers who have kept tabs on Armando De la Cerda since he took out a trainer’s license in February 2013 are not surprised when a horse such as Kroy jumps up with a huge effort, as the Florida-bred gelding did three weeks ago when earning a career-high 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

That number is the highest among a field of nine 3-year-olds that will assemble Saturday at Gulfstream Park for the $75,000 Tortugas Stakes, and De la Cerda is hoping Kroy will run another big one when he advances in class for Midwest Thoroughbreds in the 7 1/2-furlong turf race.

“I worked him last weekend [at Gulfstream West], and he is training great,” De la Cerda, a Mexico native who turned 44 on Tuesday, said this week by phone. “There’s a race for Florida-breds for him Sept. 22, but I need to run him before then, and he is very happy right now.”

Kroy, with Emisael Jaramillo back to ride, will break from post 8 in the Tortugas, the 11th of 12 Saturday races at the south Florida track. De la Cerda has won at a 24 percent clip (41 for 174) since shifting his primary base from Chicago to Florida nearly a year ago, and the improvement Kroy has shown is not atypical of the trainer’s work.

There’s plenty of speed signed on in the Tortugas, including He’s the One, Diddley, and Racings My Game. De la Cerda is confident Jaramillo can work out a good trip from off the pace.

“Hopefully, he can break, get over, and save ground,” he said. “The horse doesn’t need to be on the lead.”

First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Tortugas scheduled for 6:04 and the 12th race for 6:38.

The next six-figure stakes at Gulfstream are set for Sept. 2, with the $200,000 Affirmed and $200,000 Susan’s Girl.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Kroy, by The Factor

Last 3 Beyers: 90-75-69

◗ His 7 1/4-length triumph in restricted company July 29 came after battling on the lead, but a change of tactics are on order in what clearly shapes up as a more demanding spot.

Love Conquers, by Salute the Sarge

Last 3 Beyers: 83-82-81

◗ Steady as they come, this Louisiana-bred gelding has used a stalking style to register competitive Beyers in the 80 range in each of his last four starts, all for trainer Ron Spatz.

Durocher, by Niagara Causeway

Last 3 Beyers: 85-78-85

◗ Nice guys don’t always finish last, as this chestnut Texas-bred has shown by overachieving with four wins from his last five starts, all for trainer Harry Benson.

Racings My Game, by Ghostly Minister

Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-57

◗ One of two entered here by trainer Saffie Joseph (with Porter Street), this speedy West Virginia-bred can be considered a contender after getting what surely was a needed start last month.