Golden Rifle looks primed to fire best shot going longer distance
Friday’s 10-race card at Gulfstream Park West opens with a $25,000 conditional claiming race that appears to be a wide-open event. It is complicated by the presence of Backseat Memories, who is making his first start since he was the runner-up in the $100,000 The Vid more than three years ago.
Assuming Backseat Memories needs a race, Golden Rifle could be the one in the 7 1/2-furlong turf dash, which drew seven horses, plus The Great Gatsby, who will run only if the race gets moved to the main track.
Trained by Martin Wolfson, Golden Rifle was coming off a lengthy layoff when he ran a dull race going five furlongs at Gulfstream Park West in a $25,000 optional-claiming turf sprint Oct. 8. A stakes winner going 1 1/16 miles on grass in the $75,000 Eight Miles last year, Golden Rifle is eligible to move forward with a race behind him and he should be more effective with the added distance.
Golden Rifle, a seven-time winner with $282,184 in earnings, will be ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, who will likely put him the mix early after he breaks from post 3.
Racing for trainer Humberto Toledo in 2013, Backseat Memories won the $51,500 Mambo Meister on this course and the $75,000 Showing Up at Gulfstream Park. He will be making his first start for trainer Laurine Fuller-Vargas.
Race 1
KEY CONTENDERS
Golden Rifle, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 48-77-89
◗ He was out of his element going five furlongs in his comeback race, and with three solid interim works he could be sitting on a big effort.
Said No One Ever, by Justenuffhumor
Last 3 Beyers: 70-79-72
◗ Trained by Jena Antonucci, he took them all the way in a $30,000 conditional claiming race on the Gulfstream turf course Sept. 24 and will appreciate getting back on grass after running evenly over a sloppy track in a $25,000 conditional claiming race Oct. 20.
Cap in Hand, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 70-80-72
◗ His strong late rally came up just short when he was favored going five furlongs in a $16,000 conditional claiming race Nov. 4, and there should be an honest pace for him to work with here.
◗ Trained by Herman Wilensky, he is stepping up in price but he doesn’t look out of line and could move forward in his second start back.