Defying Gravity goes for seventh straight win
Defying Gravity will seek her seventh straight win when the 5-year-old mare runs in a first-level allowance at Gulfstream Park West on Thursday. The 1 1/16-mile turf test attracted 10 horses for the last of eight races on the card at 4:58 p.m. Eastern.
With two sharp works since winning a $16,000 optional-claiming race for Florida-breds on Sept. 18, Defying Gravity appears to be primed for another strong effort for trainer Jose Pinchin. She must deal with two major changes, however: Emisael Jaramillo will ride her for the first time, and the six wins in her streak all came at Gulfstream Park.
But considering that Defying Gravity has a win and a third-place finish in three starts at Gulfstream Park West, the change in venue shouldn’t be a problem.
She started her streak, all on grass and all with Cornelio Velasquez aboard, by winning a $10,000, one-mile claiming race June 5. She was within striking range throughout but has come from as far back as eighth at the half-mile call.
Defying Gravity will break from post 9, where Jaramillo likely will ease her into a stalking position behind what should be an honest pace.
The lightly raced 3-year-old fillies Truth and Deedeezee appear to have the best chances of ending Defying Gravity’s run.
KEY CONTENDERS
Defying Gravity, by Wildcat Heir
Last 3 Beyers: 83-82-83
◗ She is versatile, so it probably doesn’t matter how the race develops in front of her.
Truth, by Arch
Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-74
◗ She will make her first start for trainer Marty Wolfson following a fourth-place finish in the $100,000 Riskaverse for trainer James Jerkens at Saratoga on Aug. 25. The winner, On Leave, earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure when she won the Grade 2 Sands Point at Belmont in her next start.
Deedeezee, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 80-73-60
◗ Trained by Todd Pletcher, she is trending in the right direction and went pretty wide around the stretch turn when she was the runner-up at this level in a one-mile turf race at Gulfstream in her first start in Florida.
Vendita, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 80-82-65
◗ The Patrick Biancone-trained 4-year-old will appreciate the class relief after going unplaced in the $75,000 Panama City at Gulfstream on Oct. 1.
◗ The versatile filly took them all the way in a $50,000 starter race in her previous start Aug. 25 and rallied from well back to win a $40,000 maiden-claiming race Aug. 5.