Francesco Appeal drops from stakes for featured allowance

The feature comes early at Gulfstream Park on Friday, fitting with early-developing 2-year-olds, when a field of five first-level allowance horses sprint six furlongs for a $43,000 purse in the second race.

Not that it was placed as the second race on the card for that reason. The short field had much to do with its placement so early on the card, with tracks preferring to place their most competitive races with the largest fields late in the day.

Although short on numbers, there seems to be some degree of quality in the second race, led by Francesco Appeal, third most recently in the Birdonthewire Stakes on July 2, and Inkspired, who romped by 2 3/4 lengths in his lone start July 23.

Owned by Monarch Stables and trained by Larry Pilotti, Francesco Appeal seems likely to be favored with a class drop into an allowance, particularly in light of how productive the Birdonthewire Stakes has become. The winner, Three Rules, returned to win the Dr. Fager Stakes by seven lengths Aug. 6, and fourth-place finisher Gunnevera won a maiden race July 16 and the Grade 2 Saratoga Special last Sunday.

Also exiting the Birdonthewire is Chatiment, though he was not a factor like Francesco Appeal. While Francesco Appeal set the pace before tiring late, Chatiment raced in the rear of the pack before passing tired horses to be fifth.

Inkspired, a Proud Citizen half-brother to two stakes winners, including Grade 3-winning juvenile Aegean, drew best, landing on the outside. From that position, he should be able to apply pressure on the other front-runners without having to be hustled early under Tyler Gaffalione.

The other two entries are Sweetontheladies and Thanks God, who both race for a $75,000 claiming price under the optional claiming conditions.

Key Contenders

Francesco Appeal, by Successful Appeal

Beyers: 62-NA

◗ Prior to his third in the Birdonthewire, he blew away maidens when sprinting 4 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream on May 12. No Beyer Speed Figures are calculated for those short sprints at Gulfstream.

Chatiment, by Divine Park

Beyers: 56-46

◗ Was dismissed in the Birdonthewire when starting at 27-1 odds after winning a maiden claimer on the lead in his prior race. He never quit trying after being outpaced by 13 lengths early and crossed the wire beaten 7 3/4 lengths, 2 1/2 lengths behind Francesco Appeal.

Inkspiration, by Proud Citizen

Beyer: 64

◗ Earned the top speed figure in this field in his six-furlong maiden victory after being hounded on the lead. He opened up a five-length lead in midstretch but ran a slow final eighth in 13.85 seconds.