Fouzia the speed in turf-sprint allowance

MIAMI – Fouzia, on the improve since being switched to the turf late this summer by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., may be the one to catch in Thursday’s $43,000 first-level allowance headliner for 2-year-old fillies going five furlongs on turf.

Fouzia was defeated a combined 21 3/4 lengths in two starts over the main track to launch his career before switching to the grass to register a hard-fought maiden special weight victory on Aug. 15 at Gulfstream Park. She then shipped to Kentucky Downs to finish third after again setting a contested pace stretching to 6 1/2 furlongs in the Untapable Stakes, a race won by the undefeated Emro.

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Fouzia will break from the rail under Zayas with plenty of other speed signed on, including Hara, who returns locally from Saratoga, where she was overmatched in two starts during the summer. Hara, an easy six-length maiden winner over the main track June 19 at Gulfstream Park, finished a distant fourth in the Grade 3 Schuylerville before switching to grass to finish far back in the Bolton Landing at the Spa.

A daughter of Hard Spun, Hara has been working bullets since returning to her home base in trainer Antonio Sano’s barn at Gulfstream Park West.

Don’t Float the Ice will have to draw in off the also-eligible list and overcome a tough post if she does, but will demand plenty of respect in the main event should she run. Don’t Float the Ice made a very nice first impression when debuting with a wire-to-wire, 5 1/4-length maiden special weight victory going five furlongs over the local course for trainer Carl Deville just two weeks earlier. Her 72 Beyer Speed Figure is the highest recorded to date by any of the fillies in this field.

◗ It apparently doesn’t matter to Miss Auramet where or over what surface she races on these days. The versatile and well-traveled 4-year-old filly registered a popular 1 1/2-length allowance victory here Sunday under leading rider Edgard Zayas, her third win in a row and sixth in nine starts this season. Back with regular trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., Miss Auramet has won races at four different tracks in 2020 while having recorded victories on turf, dirt, and over sloppy racetracks. She has now banked more than $190,000 on the year for owners David Mellin, Leon Ellman, and Laurie Plesa.