Delta Bluesman hard to gauge in Sunshine Millions Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park’s horseplayers face a big question about Delta Bluesman, the speedy favorite in Saturday’s $100,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint: Has he simply lost his edge, or will he rebound for a front-running victory?

In his last start, Delta Bluesman faded late in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector after forcing all the pace. The six other Florida-breds opposing him in the six-furlong Sprint will need something similar to occur, as Delta Bluesman was uncatchable when hitting peak form and reeling off a four-race win streak during a career-best season in 2016.

Schivarelli, sharp from a layoff of nearly three months, is among those who will be waiting to pounce if Delta Bluesman stubs his toe. The 6-year-old Schivarelli will have Javier Castellano aboard.

“Javier won a nice race on him last summer at Saratoga,” said trainer Eddie Kenneally, referring to an Aug. 8 allowance triumph in which Schivarelli earned a lifetime-high 98 Beyer Speed Figure. “I’ll leave the strategy up to him, but the horse is really training well into this. This race fell into our schedule pretty good after we gave him a little time off. It’s a suitable spot for us to start back with him.”

Early Entry, who earned an eye-catching 104 Beyer when last seen in February, subsequently incurred an injury that forced the 11-month layoff, according to trainer Kathleen O’Connell.

“He seems back on the path to being 100 percent,” said O’Connell. “This isn’t his best distance, but it’s a great spot to start back with the small field and all.”

Yourdreamsormine, a seven-time winner over the local surface, is another possibility in a solid lineup.

Sunshine Millions Sprint, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Delta Bluesman, by Wagon Limit

Last 3 Beyers: 92-81-97

◗ Surely, this 7-year-old gelding will be sent hard from post 2 by Emisael Jaramillo when gunning for a sixth victory from his last nine starts.

Schivarelli, by Montbrook

Last 3 Beyers: 87-89-83

◗ Having competed against salty types such as Liam’s Map, A. P. Indian, Alsvid, and Tom’s Ready during a 17-race career, he could appreciate being matched solely with Florida-breds.

Early Entry, by Keyed Entry

Last 3 Beyers: 104-100-89

◗ The lengthy layoff is partly mitigated by a series of five Tampa workouts since mid-November for O’Connell, who has won with just one of her last 29 starters resurfacing after 180 days or longer.

Distaff features rematch between Moment of Delight, You Bought Her

When last they met Nov. 12 at Gulfstream West, Moment of Delight finished a half-length ahead of You Bought Her in a designated prep for the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff.

Now comes the main event, and the owners of Moment of Delight – Pinnacle Racing Stable and Norman Stables – can only hope for the same result after hiring David Fawkes as the new trainer of the 5-year-old mare.

“I’ve been pretty impressed with her,” said Fawkes, who has sent her out for four breezes in recent weeks. “She’s done everything right in the mornings.”

You Bought Her, an earner of more than $500,000, likely is making her final career start before being bred to California Chrome.

Six fillies and mares are entered in the Distaff, but no more than five are likely to start after Flutterby was diagnosed this week with a minor foot bruise, according to owner-breeder-trainer Jerry Bozzo.

Sunshine Millions Distaff, Race 4

KEY CONTENDERS

Moment of Delight, by A.P. Warrior

Last 3 Beyers: 91-87-84

◗ First or second in 10 of 18 career starts, this bay mare owns a useful mix of speed and versatility and might well find herself on a lonesome lead with leading jockey Luis Saez picking up the mount.

You Bought Her, by Graeme Hall

Last 3 Beyers: 91-91-91

◗ After her near miss in the Gulfstream West race, she was a good second in the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl on Dec. 17 and clearly looms as the main late threat in her swan song.

Mia Torri, by General Quarters

Last 3 Beyers: 86-70-78

◗ An odds-on victory in a Dec. 9 allowance in her first start for trainer Jorge Navarro should serve as a useful tightener for a 4-year-old who dabbled in the graded ranks last year for prior connections.