Frontier Ranger won’t fall through cracks this time
Frontier Ranger paid $98.40 when he won his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight race on firm turf at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 10. He’ll be a significantly lower price there on Thursday when he makes his second start in a $75,000 optional-claiming race.
The 7 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-olds drew 13 horses, including Asterisk, who will run only if the turf race is moved to the main track. Only 10 will be allowed to start, with Il Fratello and Imperial Warrior on the also-eligible list.
Trained by Ronald Pellegrini, Frontier Ranger is listed at 6-1 on the morning line, but it is a wide-open race, and considering that the horse who finished second in his debut, Little Nick V., returned to win the $100,000 Juvenile Turf last Saturday, Frontier Ranger could go off at lower odds.
Looking at his pedigree, it is a bit surprising that Frontier Ranger paid as much as he did in his debut. Seven of his eight siblings won a race, and his half-brother Gallatin Forest won his juvenile debut and finished third in the $100,000 Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial at Presque Isle Downs in his second start. Golden Kaskad, a half-brother to Frontier Ranger by Tale of the Cat, raced in Russia, winning two stakes and going unbeaten in his three starts.
Frontier Ranger will break from post 4 with Manuel Aguilar retaining the mount.
At the Ready, 3-1 on the track’s morning Line, could end up being favored.
Trained by Joseph Hennessy, At the Ready won his debut going five furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his only other start, he forced the pace before finishing fifth in the $300,000 Juvenile at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 5.
KEY CONTENDERS
Frontier Ranger (Beyer: 66)
◗ He came from off the pace in his debut, and there should be an honest pace for him to work with here.
◗ He could improve as a first-time Lasix user.
At the Ready (Beyers: 67-65)
◗ The Kentucky-bred son of Ready’s Image will appreciate the easier company than at Kentucky Downs and could be the one they have to catch if he breaks alertly from the inside post.
Applicator (Last 3 Beyers: 74-65-59)
◗ Trained by Mikhail Yanakov, he has improved his Beyer Speed Figures in his last four races, all on turf, and the 74 he earned for his win in a maiden special weight race at Gulfstream last out is the best in the field.