Eye of a Jedi drops into allowance off stakes win

More often than not, a stakes victory leads to another stakes start. But with suitable conditions written into the Sunday feature at Gulfstream Park, Eye of a Jedi will find himself back in the allowance ranks for owner-trainer Steve Budhoo.

A rallying winner of the ungraded Sea of Tranquility on July 20 at the South Florida track, Eye of a Jedi was assigned post 1 in a field of seasoned turf runners in a $48,000, one-mile turf allowance that carries a multitude of conditions for eligibility. Galleon Mast and Kroy, both prior stakes winners, are among his more accomplished opponents in the 11th of 12 races.

In all, nine older horses are entered in the feature, although with mostly sunny skies in the forecast, the two main-track-only designates, Well Defined and Fundy’s Tide, are likely to be scratched, leaving no more than seven.

First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 5:46 p.m. and the 12th race at 6:17 p.m. The feature is a key link in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 that spans races 7-12 and had a carryover jackpot of more than $600,000 into Friday.

After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for three days before another four-day week begins Thursday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Eye of a Jedi, by Eye of the Leopard

Last 3 Beyers: 88-75-85

◗ Second or third in all seven of his previous starts this year, the stretch-running gelding tripped out perfectly in the Sea of Tranquility, notching his first victory since September 2018.

Galleon Mast, by Mizzen Mast

Last 3 Beyers: 85-95-90

◗ Easily the leading earner in the field with nearly $540,000 in the bank, this gray gelding had been away more than seven months when getting a badly needed race on June 23.

Grand Journey, by Giant’s Causeway

Last 3 Beyers: 82-80-75

◗ Although this Whisper Hill Farm homebred has rather humble beginnings, he has compiled a remarkable 4-for-5 record over the local turf and seems a major consideration on that record alone.

Driven by Thunder, by Overdriven

Last 3 Beyers: 86-94-81

◗ A nine-time winner with nearly $300,000 in earnings, this handy gelding has maintained keen form when staying very busy since being claimed by trainer Amador Sanchez in March.

Kroy, by The Factor

Last 3 Beyers: 89-79-81

◗ Speedy and game, this gray gelding has been a real standout over the last couple of years for the Midwest Thoroughbreds, although it’s been a year since he won over the grass.