Good trip would make Iphone Addiction hard to beat
Iphone Addiction was unlucky to lose his most recent start Oct. 18 at Gulfstream Park West in a $16,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up restricted to non-winners of two races. With Edgard Zayas aboard, he got stuck behind a slow pace in the one-mile turf race and made a strong four-wide move around the stretch turn to get into the race. He lost by only a length to Whitfield Return, who had the perfect stalking trip while saving ground just about every step of the way.
With a better trip, Iphone Addiction could win a 1 1/16-mile turf race at the same level Wednesday at Gulfstream Park West. Including Black Phoenix, who will run only if the race is moved to the main train, nine horses have been entered in the race, the third on the card.
Iphone Addiction figures to move forward Wednesday. In his most recent start, he was coming off a two-month layoff while making his first start for trainer Oscar Gonzalez. The 3-year-old son of Big Brown drew the rail and won’t mind moving to the distance of his lone win, which came in a $35,000 maiden-claiming race at Gulfstream Park on June 6. The only thing working against him is his lack of speed in a race likely to have a slow pace. Zayas retains the mount.
Among his opponents is Modern Tale, trained by Ronald Pellegrini. Modern Tale showed some speed in a $30,000 conditioned claiming race that was washed off the turf Sept. 17. After forcing the pace for six furlongs, he faded to finish a distant third in the one-mile race at Gulfstream Park, which was reduced to four horses.
KEY CONTENDERS
Iphone Addiction (Last 3 Beyers: 66-52-65)
◗ He won’t mind a slightly longer trip than his most recent race and should get a cozy trip from the inside post.
Modern Tale (Last 3 Beyers: 32-71-72)
◗ He’ll appreciate the move back to his preferred surface and could be dangerous with the blinkers coming off.
El Canguro (Last 3 Beyers: 65-70-0)
◗ Trained by Javier Negrete, he has improved substantially in his last two starts. In his last start, his first try with winners, he finished just a head and a neck behind Iphone Addiction.
Darnells Spirit (Last 3 Beyers: 62-26-4)
◗ A 6-year-old, he has made just three starts, and in his latest outing, he won a $12,500 maiden-claiming race on this course. That was his first time on turf.