Dubai Bob back where he belongs after giving stakes a try

Dubai Bob, who finished fifth in the $50,000 Tamiami Handicap on Sept. 17 at Gulfstream Park, will appreciate the class relief when he runs in a first-level allowance race Sunday at Gulfstream Park West.

The five-furlong dash includes a $25,000 claiming option and drew seven horses for turf. There are three horses entered for the main track only. If the race does get washed off the turf, the Ralph Ziadie-trained Blings Express will likely be favored.

Ziadie also will saddle Dubai Bob, who was making his first start for the trainer when he romped going five furlongs on turf in a $10,000 claiming race July 15 at Gulfstream Park. Acting on behalf of Averill Racing, Ziadie claimed Dubai Bob when he finished second for the same price May 14 at Gulfstream. Averill Racing and Matties Racing now own the 7-year-old gelding.

Dubai Bob was coming off a two-month layoff when he showed his usual good speed in the Tamiami. But after contesting the pace through a rapid half-mile, he couldn’t keep up in the five-furlong turf dash. The Tamiami has turned out to be a productive race, with three next-out winners, most notably the winner, Extravagant Kid, who earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure when he repeated in the $50,000 Green Parrot on Oct. 1 at Gulfstream.

The 94 Beyer that Dubai Bob received July 15 for his win with Edgard Zayas riding stands out in this field. He drew the rail and could be sitting on a big effort in his second start back with Zayas riding again.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dubai Bob, by Forestry

Last 3 Beyers: 76-94-81

◗ He didn’t race for more than three years, from June 2013 to November 2016, but he’s won half of his eight starts since returning and drew a good post to take advantage of his substantial speed.

DRF Formulator Fact: The past five years, Ziadie has a 25 percent strike rate in turf sprints with horses making their second start following a layoff.

More Mia, by Mass Media

Last 3 Beyers: 76-81-80

◗ The Martin Wolfson trainee rallied to win a Florida-bred first-level allowance with a $16,000 claiming option two back before finishing fifth in the Green Parrot. He should be rolling late, and there will be speed coming back to him.

Little Chesney, by City Zip

Beyers: 54-74

◗ The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred showed a lot of promise when he finished first on turf March 25 at Gulfstream in his debut, although he was disqualified for drifting out into the runner-up in midstretch. With Tyler Gavvlione aboard, he made no mistakes in his second start, taking them all the way over a sloppy track in a maiden special weight race here Oct. 4.

◗ He figures to move forward with a race behind him, and through Thursday his trainer, Carlo Vaccarezza , had won with 3 of his 7 starters at the meet.