Flamingo Hawk's main rival on Friday might come from own barn

The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Flamingo Hawk was even-money to win a $25,000 starter race with a $25,000 claiming option on April 10 at Gulfstream Park. However, he could not catch his stablemate Bailey in the six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds.

Flamingo Hawk will try to make amends when he comes back at the same level and distance in the feature race Friday at Gulfstream. He is no cinch in what appears to be a wide-open event, and a similar scenario could unfold as the Joseph-trained Berhanu looks live and could fall under the radar.

The six-furlong dash drew nine horses and goes as race 8 on a nine-race card that gets under way at 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

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There is not much doubt Flamingo Hawk will be favored. Prior to his runner-up finish on April 10, he won a $16,000 maiden claimer by 11 lengths. He was given a 75 Beyer Speed Figure for his blowout win, and the 68 Beyer he received for his solid effort in his last start is the best last-race figure in the field.

The Kentucky-bred gelding by Candy Ride can stalk and should get a nice trip from a forward position with Edwin Gonzalez retaining the mount. He will break from post 5.

Berhanu has been freshened since he won a $12,500 claimer for 3-year-olds on March 17. With Tyler Gaffalione riding, he stalked an honest pace before taking control of the six-furlong sprint at the top of the stretch. His four sharp interim works at Palm Meadows suggest Joseph has him primed for a big effort coming off the bench.

A Florida-bred son of The Factor, Berhanu will break from post 8 with Jose Morelos riding.

Uncaptured Soldier will receive plenty of wagering support off his two-length victory in a $20,000 claimer on March 25. With Paco Lopez riding for Kelly Breen, Uncaptured Soldier led at every call in the 5 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds. Lopez will be aboard Friday when the Florida-bred colt by Uncaptured breaks from post 2.

The Ronald Spatz-trained Flipping Fish is eligible to improve after winning his debut in a $20,000 maiden claimer on April 16.

Paladio, the only four-time winner in the field, is coming off a sixth-place finish in a first-level allowance race with a $12,500 claiming option for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up last Saturday. He could be dangerous coming back in six days for trainer Antonio Sano.

Sano also is represented by Gege Conquest. A two-time sprint winner, Gege Conquest should appreciate the cutback in distance following a runner-up finish in a one-mile race at the same level April 15.

Ensign Parker, trained by Carlos Perez, set a blistering pace before finishing third in the same race Flamingo Hawk exits. The Florida-bred gelding by Soldat could be tough to reel in if he breaks on top and settles early.