Eyes On the King seems poised for improvement in second start

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse was hoping to wheel his impressive 2-year-old debut winner Eyes On the King back in the Armed Forces Stakes around two turns over the Tapeta surface here late last month. But when Casse was unable to get a key final work into Eyes On the King due to inclement weather, he scratched his horse from the Armed Forces and switched to Plan B, Friday’s $51,000 main event at Gulfstream Park.

The entry-level allowance and optional-claiming dash lured seven juveniles to go six furlongs over the main track.

Eyes On the King, a $485,000 purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September sale, raced a bit greenly but still proved an easy winner at first asking on Aug. 27. He drew off to a four-length victory despite ducking in and bumping another rival at the break, racing wide, and not switching leads until nearing midstretch of the six-furlong dash. Eyes On the King will have to improve on the modest 54 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his maiden tally to compete with some of the others in this lineup, although he should benefit from what figures to be a lively pace scenario in light of his come-from-behind performance in his lone start.

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Eyes On the King is one of two key contenders Casse will send out in the headliner along with Bouncer, who returns to more suitable company after finishing eighth in the seven-furlong Affirmed Stakes.

Rolling On may go postward the tepid choice off a one-sided wire-to-wire maiden win for which he received a field-best 73 Beyer. Rolling On figures to get tested a lot more during the early stages Friday as he steps up in company in a lineup that also includes speedsters No Name Dude, Mr Murgo, and Gran Slash.

Awesome Strong to BC Juvenile

Awesome Strong’s victory in last Saturday’s $400,000 In Reality Stakes may not have been the prettiest or most dominant in the 40-year history of the Florida Sire Stakes, but it was good enough to earn the undefeated 2-year-old a sweep of the colt and gelding division and a trip to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 4.

Awesome Strong had to overcome some early jostling and a wide trip before registering a very workmanlike 1 1/2-length decision over the 71-1 Tigre in the mile and one-sixteenth In Reality. That was a far cry from his three previous races, all one-sided victories that included the six-furlong Dr. Fager and seven-furlong Affirmed. Awesome Strong received a Beyer Speed Figure of just 65 for the In Reality after posting Beyers of 79 and 80 in his two previous starts.

“The first part of the race was a little rough for him,” trainer Jorge Delgado said. “When too many other horses went to the lead, it put him in the middle where he got sandwiched on the turn. That and the wide trip cost him a little bit, and I’m happy he was able to overcome all of that and still win, although I believe he can perform better around two turns, especially with a better post position and if given a chance to be on the lead like in his earlier races.”

Delgado said that despite the demanding effort, Awesome Strong came out of the In Reality well. Delgado plans to send him to Keeneland within the next week or so to prepare for the Juvenile.

“I have the last word, but he’s fit and happy right now and wants to run, so as long as he continues to do well, we’re going to run,” said Delgado.

Awesome Strong will be accompanied to Keeneland by stablemate Willy Boi, who is being pointed for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Willy Boi, transferred to Delgado’s barn at the start of the year, opened his 2022 campaign with three consecutive victories, including the Grade 3 Smile Sprint here on July 2, before finishing third, beaten five lengths by Jackie’s Warrior, in the Grade 1 Alfred Vanderbilt in his most recent start on July 30.

“He’s an improving horse and training better than ever right now,” said Delgado.

Purse raises upcoming

There will be a significant increase in purses for all maiden special weight and allowance races during the 2022-23 Championship meeting as well as an increase in both those categories from Dec. 1-Dec. 24, the latter stages of the current Sunshine meeting, track management announced Wednesday. The Championship session opens on Dec. 26. Racing will switch from a three-day to five-day a week schedule here beginning on Dec. 1.

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Purses for maiden special weight races will total $84,000 beginning opening day of the Championship meet, an increase of $24,000 from last winter. Allowance races will be worth $86,000-$88,000, an increase of $25,000 from a year ago.

Starting Dec. 1, maiden special purses will total $70,000 during the Sunshine meet and allowance races $71,000-$73,000, an increase of $10,000 in both categories compared to existing purses. All purses include money from FTHA-FOA.

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