Fast maiden victory points out Soldado in Sunday allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Just in case you didn’t get enough serious 3-year-old action Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the Fountain of Youth, there’ll be a little extra on Sunday for your wagering pleasure.

A first-level allowance that drew a handful of 3-year-olds with plenty of upside will anchor a Sunday card that starts at noon Eastern. Soldado, who earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure in a terrific debut here a month ago for Todd Pletcher, figures to be favored among a field of eight when stretching out to a mile in the 12th of 13 races.

A mere $8,000 purchase as a 2-year-old, Soldado rocketed to victory on the last race of the Feb. 2 Holy Bull Stakes card in what shaped up as a loaded maiden special weight race at six furlongs. The Virginia-bred colt has had a couple of maintenance breezes in the interim at Pletcher’s winter base, Palm Beach Downs.

Other live prospects in the Sunday feature include Final Jeopardy, the beaten favorite in the restricted Limehouse here in early January; Mr. Ankeny, making his first start since finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity five months ago; and Award Winner, most recently third in a two-turn allowance won by Fountain of Youth starter Bourbon War.

The Sunday feature is the last of three straight allowances with a $51,000 purse and an entry-level condition. Race 10 is for older horses at seven furlongs, and Race 11 is for fillies and mares going a mile on turf. All three are part of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (races 8-13), which into Friday had a jackpot fast approaching the $500,000 mark.

After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for two days before another five-day week resumes Wednesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Soldado, by Verrazano

Beyer: 91

◗ After tracking the pace, this bay colt launched an eye-catching run and proceeded to win by 2 3/4 lengths under Luis Saez, who will be back aboard Sunday. They break from post 2.

Final Jeopardy, by Street Sense

Beyers: 73-73

◗ A last-to-first winner in his career debut in December for Jason Servis, he didn’t have enough punch when settling for third in the Limehouse behind Seismic Jolt after being bet down to 11-10.

Mr. Ankeny, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 63-81-62

◗ A maiden victory at Ellis Park helped make him the 8-1 fourth choice in the Breeders’ Futurity for Dale Romans, who has a second starter in this race in Come On Gerry, eighth in the Holy Bull.

Award Winner, by Ghostzapper

Beyers: 78-77-53

◗ He romped over the Gulfstream slop at this same one-mile distance in a December maiden race, then set the pace before finishing 6 1/2 lengths behind Bourbon War in a Jan. 18 allowance here.