Free as a Bird must overcome layoff in Captiva Island
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Unlike what her name implies, Free as a Bird does not care for flying. The mare threw a fit on an airplane that was supposed to carry her from Kentucky to the Breeders’ Cup in California last fall, ultimately forcing her handlers to unload her from the frightening contraption.
“She wasn’t injured at all,” said her trainer, Ian Wilkes. “She just wouldn’t calm down, so they had to take her off.”
Duly regrouped by Wilkes, and with a five-race win streak still intact, Free as a Bird will resurface Wednesday in her first start as a 6-year-old, the $60,000 Captiva Island Handicap at Gulfstream Park. The five-furlong turf race is carded as the ninth of 11 races on an interesting program that also includes five starter-optional races. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.
Free as a Bird has had six workouts at the Palm Meadows training center since getting a brief rest, including a pair of bullets as she neared this comeback.
“I think she’s bigger and stronger than she’s ever been, I really do,” said Wilkes. “Our goals are basically the same races she ran in last year, ending with the Breeders’ Cup. She’s certainly capable of winning off the layoff.”
Under handicap conditions, Free as a Bird will carry 121 pounds, including jockey Joel Rosario, and spots the opposition three to seven pounds in what shapes up as a terrific weekday feature.
KEY CONTENDERS
Free as a Bird (Last 3 Beyers: 93-90-89)
◗ Some handicappers will consider this late-striding mare vulnerable here, considering this race is designed as a prep for the Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland next month, but Wilkes insists she is primed to win right off the bench.
◗ Bred and owned by Elizabeth Valando, she began her career 2 for 14 but has gone 6 for 7 since then, with her last five wins coming in ungraded turf-sprint stakes similar to this.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Indian Splendor. Trainer Jason Servis is 24-3-2-4 with a $1.19 ROI over the past five years in 5-furlong turf sprints at Gulfstream Park following a layoff of 45 days of more (18-7-1-2, $3.19 ROI with layoff of 44 days or fewer). Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Fascinante (Last 3 Beyers: 70-92-87)
◗ This quick mare had won 5 of 6 races before enduring a rough trip and fading toward the rear in the Ladies Turf Sprint, a Feb. 21 race that several of these others also exit. She does come favorably drawn in the outside post and figures to benefit from a better trip.
Believe in Charlie (Last 3 Beyers: 81-82-76)
◗ Fourth in the Feb. 21 race, she stands to benefit substantially from that effort, which was her first race in six months.
Double Secret (Last 3 Beyers: 72-91-80)
◗ A sharp two-back winner of an ungraded Tampa Bay stakes, she encountered immediate traffic in the Feb. 21 race and stands to fare better here given a clean start.
Zamquick (Last 3 Beyers: 83-76-76)
◗ She filled out the trifecta at 57-1 in the Feb. 21 race and has been a perennial overachiever for Eddie Kenneally.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Tizgale. Trainer Joe Orseno is 18-3-1-4 with a $6.33 ROI over the past five years with turf runners at Gulfstream Park following a trainer switch. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 11 Free as a Bird. Trainer Ian Wilkes is 37-2-4-3 with a $0.51 ROI over the past five years in turf races with horses returning from a layoff of 120 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan