Farz, Generous Kitten could be hard to separate
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – When a three-turn turf allowance was run on the last day of December at Gulfstream Park, not one pixel separated Farz and Generous Kitten on the wire amid a four-horse photo.
Now comes the last day of January, and another $44,000 first-level allowance at 1 7/16 miles on turf is serving as a co-feature on an 11-race Sunday card at Gulfstream – and nobody would be surprised if a similarly tight finish unfolds.
Farz, with Jose Lezcano back riding for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, once again will face Generous Kitten in the 10th race, the second of back-to-back allowances. That pair finished in a dead heat for third in the Dec. 31 race in which only a half-length separated the top four finishers.
An oversubscribed field of older horses is entered in the 10th race.
The ninth race marks the return of Imperia, a one-time Triple Crown hopeful for McLaughlin. Unraced in nearly a year, Imperia will be ridden by Joel Rosario when he faces seven others in the one-mile race on the main track.
As a 2-year-old of 2014, Imperia won the Grade 3 Pilgrim prior to being narrowly defeated by El Kabeir in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club. His abbreviated 3-year-old campaign wasn’t nearly as productive, as he was scratched off the program for the Spiral Stakes last March and sent to the sidelines, returning with his first of 10 breezes in early October at the Godolphin training center.
First post Sunday is 12:35 p.m. Eastern, with the two features going at 4:35 and 5:05. After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for two days before another five-day week resumes Wednesday.
KEY CONTENDERS
Farz, by Smart Strike (Last 3 Beyers: 90-80-84)
◗ This Shadwell Stable runner rated nicely near the lead in his latest and stands to benefit from that first attempt at a marathon distance.
Generous Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy (Last 3 Beyers: 90-70-84)
◗ This hard-trying Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred employs a grinding style. He will have Julien Leparoux aboard.
Enjoy the Show, by Jump Start (Last 3 Beyers: 90-84-83)
◗ This rail-drawn 4-year-old gets John Velazquez and returns to a more realistic class level after being 60-1 in the Tropical Park Derby.
Sharp Omar, by Sharp Humor (Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-73)
◗ Javier Castellano has the call on a recent Michael Dubb claim who is one of four entered here for a $35,000 claiming option.