General Ann cuts back for turf-sprint feature
General Ann will be facing winners for the first time, but she still looks like the one to beat in a $50,000 optional starter claiming race for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream on Wednesday. The 7 1/2-furlong race on turf goes as the fifth race and drew 10 horses for the body of the race. Mochima will get to run if the race gets moved to the main track.
Trained by Chad Brown, General Ann is coming off a win going 1 1/16 miles on turf in a $75,000 maiden-claiming race in her second start March 20 and shouldn’t mind the cutback in distance. She broke a step slowly and then finished well to get up for fourth when she debuted in a key $75,000 maiden-claiming race going 7 1/2 furlongs Feb. 8. The winner, Cosmic Harmony, returned to win a $75,000 optional starter claiming race with a 77 Beyer Speed Figure on March 22.
General Ann drew the rail and will be ridden by Leandro Goncalves.
Princess Zenyi, trained by Gustavo Delgado, looks like the main threat. She is coming off a win in a one-mile, $25,000 optional starter claiming race March 26 and could get a nice trip stalking speed that probably won’t last.
KEY CONTENDERS
General Ann (Beyers: 77-62)
◗ She showed some promise after getting off slowly in her debut and then put it all together with a sharp win in her second start. The 77 Beyer she earned is the best in the field, and anything coming out of this barn obviously merits respect.
◗ Adding to her appeal are the strong jockey-trainer stats that show Goncalves winning with three of his last four mounts for Brown.
Princess Zenyi (Last 3 Beyers: 72-70-56)
◗ She looked good in winning her latest and should get a nice trip. She is doubling her price, but the daughter of Eskendereya has improved her Beyers in every race and might not have reached her peak.
Summers Back (Last 3 Beyers: 67-66-62)
◗ Trained by Stephen DiMauro, the homebred daughter of Put It Back made a strong late move to just miss in a $35,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies going five furlongs on turf April 10. She won a one-mile, $35,000 maiden-claiming race on turf Feb. 1 and should appreciate the added distance.
Miss Dejavu (Last 3 Beyers: 58-76-73)
◗ Not sure if she’ll last the whole way, but she is going to have an easy time on the lead. Catch her if you can.