Galleon Mast should run well fresh in Soldier's Dancer

Galleon Mast, victorious in his last start in the $75,000 Sunshine Millions Preview at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 10, returns to the races in the $100,000 Soldier’s Dancer at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. He is one of many contenders in the 1 1/16-mile race, which drew eight horses for turf. So Long Chick, entered as main-track-only, becomes the one to beat if the race for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up is moved to the dirt.

Handicappers do not like to see a horse go on a lengthy hiatus following a win, but according to Galleon Mast’s trainer, David Fawkes, the time off was not due to any physical ailments.

“He came out of the Preview in good shape but he had been running hard for two years and deserved a break,” said Fawkes. “His owner [Anne Scott] wants what is best for him, so we sent him to her farm in Ocala where he just took it easy for a while. He runs hard, trains hard, and the rest did him good. I expect him to run well Saturday.”

The classy 6-year-old just does not run a bad race, and in 18 starts over the Gulfstream Park turf course he has compiled an impressive 6-7-4 record.

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He’s versatile, and being a fresh horse it wouldn’t be surprising to see him not too far off the pace, as he was in his win in the Millions Preview with Paco Lopez riding.

He will break from post 4 in the Soldier’s Dancer with Emisael Jaramillo aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Galleon Mast, by Mizzen Mast

Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-91

◗ It is hard not to like a horse who runs his heart out every time, and he can fire fresh. He won the 2018 Sunshine Millions Turf coming off a more than two-month layoff.

My Point Exactly, by Concord Point

Last 3 Beyers: 96-81-80

◗ Trained by Angel Quiroz, he earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure for his front-running win going 1 1/16 miles on turf in a first-level allowance race with a $16,000 claiming option on May 25. Considering he almost won this race in 2017, the jump in class isn’t that big of a concern.

◗ He lost by a head to Galleon Mast in the 2017 Eight Miles East, and if his last race is any indication, he has never been better. He’s also the one they will likely have to run down.

Swagger Jagger, by Crown of the Thorn

Last 3 Beyers: 86-84-76

◗ The Michael Maker-trained 6-year-old is coming off a couple of solid performances and could be sitting on a big effort Saturday.

◗ He rallied to finish second in the $100,000 Turf Classic for Florida-breds at Tampa Bay on March 31. After making a premature move into a fast pace in a second-level allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option on April 27, he held on well to finish third in the one-mile race on turf.

◗ He is versatile, and leading rider Edgard Zayas will have more than one option with him after they break from post 6.