Early Time drops in class, brings sharp works into turf route

Early Time could get her first win in North America in the ninth race at Gulfstream Park on Friday. The French-raced 3-year-old filly is facing older runners for the first time, but she is getting class relief with the drop into a $35,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two while making her initial start for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. If her recent works are any indication, she is sitting on a big effort in the 1 1/16-mile turf race, which drew 12 horses.

A winner in her second start last July in France, Early Time showed some promise in her North American debut at Gulfstream on Dec. 23. Racing for trainer Graham Motion, she rallied to finish second going 1 1/16 miles on turf in a first-level allowance race with a $75,000 claiming price. However, she regressed in her next two starts and enters off a dull effort March 22 at Tampa Bay Downs, where she never got involved in a similar optional claimer at a mile on turf.

The drop into a conditional claimer is significant, and she put in a couple of sharp half-mile works at Gulfstream on April 21 and 28. Early Time will break from post 11 with leading rider Edgard Zayas aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Early Time, by Charm Spirit
Last 3 Beyers: 61-69-70

◗ She is a deep closer in a race lacking speed, but she should appreciate the easier company.

◗ She has been training forwardly for Joseph, who over the past five years has a 25 percent strike rate with new shooters coming back in 31 to 60 days.

Sand Drift, by Treasure Beach
Last 3 Beyers: 65-72-72

◗ The David Fawkes-trained 3-year-old is coming off a rough trip in a $35,000 starter race with a $35,000 claiming option on April 14. Toss the race and focus on her fourth-place finish at the same level March 17, and she looks like a serious player in what appears to be a wide-open event.

◗ She should be rolling late with Emisael Jaramillo riding her for the first time.

Beach Dreaming, by Treasure Beach
Last 3 Beyers: 56-68-50

◗ Beach Dreaming has some speed and should have a tactical advantage over Early Time and Sand Drift.

◗ Trained by Jacob Palacios Molina, she was making her first start as a 4-year-old when she won a $20,000 maiden claimer at Gulfstream on Feb. 16. She drops into a more reasonable spot after fading in a first-level allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs on April 12.

◗ She figures to be in the mix early and could take a big step forward in her second start back.