Gabrielleelizabeth would be a handful with her best

Gabrielleelizabeth is a head away from being perfect at the six-furlong distance she will be navigating Thursday at Gulfstream Park. However, she has not raced since she lost by that head in an open $25,000 claimer on Jan. 1, so she could be vulnerable in a first-level allowance race with a $16,000 claiming option that will serve as the featured event of a nine-race program that begins at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

Bred in Kentucky, the 4-year-old filly improved substantially when she dropped into a conditioned claimer for the first time, which coincided with her making her initial start for trainer Oscar Gonzalez. She won the 5 1/2-furlong dash for $10,000 nonwinners of two by 9 3/4 lengths on Sept. 14 at Gulfstream Park. She showed her strong performance was no fluke when she stepped up in class and romped again in a $30,000 conditioned claimer on Oct. 11 at Gulfstream Park West.

In her next start, Gabrielleelizabeth took them all the way in a $30,000 conditioned claimer on Nov. 16 at Gulfstream West.

Gabrielleelizabeth’s head loss on Jan. 1 wasn’t for lack of trying. With Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, she broke from the rail and was part of a three-horse duel with Day by Day and Violent Danger for close to a half-mile. Violent Danger was done at the quarter pole, but the other two duked it out the rest of the way, with Day by Day getting the head bob.

If Gabrielleelizabeth comes back as good as she left, she could a handful breaking from the outside post with Ronald Ordonez riding. Ordonez was aboard for her three straight wins.

KEY CONTENDERS

Gabrielleelizabeth, by Bellamy Road

Last 3 Beyers: 81-70-67

◗ She became a bear under Gonzalez, although the layoff and no works showing since May 2 are concerns.

◗ Gonzalez brings her back in a spot she can’t be claimed from, and the past five years he has a 22 percent strike rate and $3.23 return on investment with horses coming back in 61 to 180 days.

Hello Juliet, by Adios Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 76-76-74

◗ She has not finished worse than second in her last five starts and figures to get a nice trip stalking what could be an honest and contested pace.

◗ This will be her initial start for trainer Juan Arriagada, who since 2017 has a $2.80 ROI with claimed horses running back the first time.

Yes Factor, by The Factor

Last 3 Beyers: 58-59-71

◗ The lightly raced 4-year-old Florida-bred appeared to be on her way with wins in her first two races, but came up empty in her third start when she tackled open first-level allowance horses and then ran seventh in a sprint on turf.

◗ Off since Feb. 21, she could come back firing with leading rider Edgard Zayas riding for trainer Terri Pompay, who has strong numbers with horses coming back in 61 to 180 days.