Delayed meet opens with mostly dirt card
With Hurricane Matthew expected to be safely in the rearview mirror Saturday, the Gulfstream Park West meeting is scheduled to finally kick off and continue through Nov. 27 at the track formerly known as Calder Race Course.
The 40-day meet was originally scheduled to begin Wednesday, but with Matthew bearing down on the region, The Stronach Group canceled the first three days of the meet. Racing hopefully will continue unabated Wednesdays through Sundays for the next eight weeks, though no decision has been made as to whether the three lost days will be made up.
In response to the heavy rain expected from Matthew earlier in the week, only two of Saturday’s 10 races were carded for turf, including the featured race, a five-furlong optional-claiming and allowance dash that offers a $34,000 purse.
A field of 14, including three for the main track only, entered the feature, with the connections of Trev, The Son Wind, and Prague hoping the lingering effects of the storm will compel management to move the event to the main track.
If that is the case, expect all three to vie for favoritism.
Trev exits a convincing 4 3/4-length midlevel claiming win on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Aug. 18, the victory snapping a seven-race losing streak that dated to the summer of 2015. The Son Wind came off a series of off-the-board efforts on grass to finish second, beaten just a half-length by the red-hot Ranger in Paradise, under similar conditions going six furlongs on dirt five weeks ago. Prague steps up in company off a good showing against starter-allowance opposition just two weeks ago.
Should the headliner stay on turf, Partyallnightlong, Final Encore, and Golden Rifle are key contenders.
Partyallnightlong returns from another summer on the Jersey Shore, having defeated optional-claiming opposition over the Monmouth Park turf course in his most recent try Aug. 19.
Final Encore finished in a dead heat for second, just a neck behind Aethon, as the 9-5 favorite under similar conditions at Gulfstream on Aug. 25, while Golden Rifle makes his first start since March 24 while turning back to five furlongs for only the fourth time in his 23-race career.
Key Contenders
Trev, by Exclusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 81-76-78
◗ At his best when on or with the pace, he likely will face a stern challenge for the lead if this race is moved to the main track.
The Son Wind, by Roman Ruler
Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-69
◗ Comes off a career-best effort on dirt and is another who figures to show plenty of speed from the outset after contesting a 22-second, 44.40 pace in his latest try.