Fighting Force has edge on Tapeta at Gulfstream
Fighting Force and King of Dreams look like the main combatants in the $65,000 Showing Up Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park Saturday. However, the about a mile and 70-yard race will be contested over Tapeta and considering seven of the 13 horses entered have never raced on a synthetic surface, anything could happen. Only 12 will be allowed to start, with Mayor Remo needing a scratch in order to run.
Fighting Force, trained by Jeff Engler, has started twice on the recently installed Tapeta surface at Gulfstream and he ran well both times. He came from well back to win a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds going a mile and 70-yard Oct. 2. As a stakes winner, Fighting Force was not eligible for the first-level conditions and took advantage of the $75,000 claiming option available.
A Kentucky-bred son of Air Force Blue, Fighting Force also rallied late going the same distance when he finished second in an Oct. 22 allowance race for 3-year-olds and up that had myriad conditions and a $62,500 claiming option.
The 90 Beyer Fighting Force was given for his strong effort in his latest race is a career best, and the top last-race figure among the horses entered in the Showing Up.
He will break from post 8 with Cristian Torres up.
The Juan Avila-trained King of Dreams was running over a synthetic surface for the first time when he upset the $60,000 Oakland Park Oct. 9. He paid $25.40 for his three-quarter-length win over Wind of Change in the 5 1/2-furlong dash.
King of Dreams, another son of Air Force Blue, should not have any trouble handling the added yardage. He missed by less than a length to next-out Grade 3 winner Yes This Time going 1 1/16 miles on turf in the $75,000 English Channel on May 8 and came right back to win a 1 1/8-mile first-level allowance race on turf June 4.
King of Dreams rallied to win the Oakland Park, but he set the pace in the English Channel and took them all the way in his win.
He will break from post 3 and it would not be surprising to see Leonel Reyes put him into the race early.
Arzak won’t mind the surface switch after finishing fourth going six furlongs on turf in the $100,000 Allied Forces at Belmont Park on Sept. 14. Trained by Michael Trombetta, the Kentucky-bred colt by Not This Time, won the $74,825 Tom Ridge at Presque Isle Downs in in his previous race. He came from mid-pack to edge the Allied Forces winner, Smokin’ Jay, by a nose in the six-furlong dash on Tapeta.
Miguel Vasquez, who rode Fighting Force in his last two races, will be aboard Arzak when he breaks from post 4.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will be represented by Moonlite Strike, Irish Honor, Twelve Volt Man, and Officiating. Considering Joseph is the leading trainer at Gulfstream and has won with 13 of his 26 starters over the past seven days, they should all be taken seriously.
Moonlite Strike is the most accomplished. The Kentucky-bred colt by Liam’s Map won the $75,000 Roar at Gulfstream May 15 and finished third in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby March 6. In his only try on Tapeta he finished sixth after setting the pace in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park on March 27.
He will break from the rail with leading rider Edgard Zayas up.