Gierkink’s preview: Phil’s Dream stands out as heavy favorite

The reigning Canadian champion sprinter Phil’s Dream launches his campaign in the eighth, but the most intriguing race on the card is the fifth, an optional claimer that contains five shippers and four locals.

Wonderful Breeze, a juicy 8-1 in the morning line in the fifth, has run four consecutive good races on the grass at Gulfstream and is proven here on the Polytrack.

Trainer Mark Casse sends out Jagger M, recently third in a Keeneland allowance, and longshot Autobahn Legend, who has worked well here since coming from Ocala.

The consistent comebacker Urban Forester was one of the better claims here in 2013, and his trainer, Norm McKnight, doubled up on Friday’s card. Northern Hammer, who put up a 97 Beyer while romping in his local bow in a starter allowance, is a bounce candidate. Go deep in the pick four here if you can afford it.

Phil’s Dream is a skimpy 2-5 in the morning line for the feature, a 5 1/2-furlong Ontario-sired allowance, which is the prep for the New Providence Stakes. The stalker drew ideally on the outside in a six-horse field and has been working in his usual brisk manner. He is a free bingo square in the late pick four.

Bear’s Profit, a first-timer in the fourth, galloped out nicely after his bullet five-furlong gate drill in 1:00.80 here April 18. The Ontario-bred son of Exchange Rate could give jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson and trainer Reade Baker their first win of the meet.

The second-race favorite Iron Wolf was working at Calder prior to breezing five-eighths in a sharp 1:01 here April 19. The 3-year-old comebacker should be prominent in the Ontario-sired allowance under Justin Stein, who broke his maiden at first asking last June.