El Jefe Grande goes for third straight off the bench

El Jefe Grande will be giving up recency to most of his rivals on Thursday when he chases his third straight win in a $62,500 optional claiming turf route at Gulfstream Park West. The start will be El Jefe Grande’s first since taking a first-level allowance race on Aug. 9.

“He’s missed three months only because there’s been no races for him,” said David Fawkes, who trains El Jefe Grande. “It’s kind of a long time between races, but he’s training really good, doing really good.”

The optional claimer goes as the sixth race and it’s one of three high-end overnight offerings on the card. In the second race, Mongolian Saturday and Console meet in a $25,000 optional claimer at five furlongs on the grass, and in the ninth race, Goodtimehadbyall cuts back to a sprint distance for a $50,000 optional claimer at seven furlongs on the main track.

Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

El Jefe Grande (Last 3 Beyers: 88-76-74)

◗ He began his streak in a $25,000 conditioned claimer at Gulfstream Park on July 5, then accounted for the first-level allowance at the track Aug. 9. Both wins came in turf routes and he was flattered following his last start when the runner-up from the race, Balthazar, returned in his next start to take a first-level allowance at Gulfstream.

◗ El Jefe Grande will break from post 2, under Jilver Chamafi. He could get a stalking trip Thursday.

“He likes to see those front-runners right in front of him,” Fawkes said. “He doesn’t want to sit way back. He’s kind of right off the early flight.”

Shock Leader (Last 3 Beyers: 87-85-87)

◗ He invades from New York, where he was fifth at this level in his last start, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths at Belmont on Sept. 27.

◗ Paco Lopez was aboard for the seven-eighths turf sprint and has the return call Thursday for trainer Timothy Hills.

◗ The added ground could serve Shock Leader well as his last win came in a turf route at Monmouth.

Sunshine Millions preview

Gulfstream Park West will host eight stakes for Florida-breds on Saturday in a program of races intended to produce starters for the Sunshine Millions card at Gulfstream in January. Each of Saturday’s stakes are worth $100,000, led by the Millions Classic Preview.

Fawkes will be active on the card, with Daring Kathy expected to start as one of the top choices in the Filly and Mare Turf Preview.

“She’s won five out of eight and is placed in two graded stakes,” Fawkes said. “She’s a nice filly.”

Daring Kathy won the $105,000 Cellars Shiraz at Gulfstream Park West in her last out, Oct. 18.

Fawkes said Hangover Saturday is on target for the Juvenile Filly Turf.