Gravity Force dangerous with blinkers
DEL MAR, Calif. – Gravity Force has made five starts for two different trainers, and on Thursday will make his first start for yet another trainer, Bob Hess Jr., who took him out of a maiden claimer for $40,000 last time out. A victory last time made Gravity Force eligible to Thursday’s nominal feature race at Del Mar, a $40,000 starter allowance which goes as race 7, but Hess is making a slight tweak with Gravity Force that he hopes will propel him to another level.
For the first time in his career, Gravity Force will wear blinkers. It’s unusual for a horse to make a blinker change off a win, but Hess said recent workouts forced his hand.
“Looking at his works before we got him, all his prior works were good times, at least on paper,” Hess said Tuesday morning. “But the first time I worked him, he went around there disinterested. I put blinkers on him and he worked really well, dragging the rider around. He’s hinted at some ability. Maybe the win and the blinkers will wake him up.”
Nine horses are entered in the six-furlong race, though the field could be reduced. Trainer Peter Miller said there was a chance Always Never would be scratched because co-owner Gary Barber has another horse,Swiss Cheese, in the race, and because of the rail draw.
Swiss Cheese is a recent claim of trainer Steve Miyadi, who also sends out Overcomer.
KEY CONTENDERS
Gravity Force (Last 3 Beyers: 68-64-54)
◗ Got the highest Beyer Figure of his five-race career last time, and Hess believes he can move forward with the addition of blinkers.
◗ Hess has had a strong meeting. He is tied for fifth in the trainers’ standings with 10 wins. “We had a little lull, but things are heating back up,” he said. “We should have a good week.”
Swiss Cheese (Beyer: 67)
◗ Took until his 4-year-old season to finally debut, and won nicely vs. $20,000 maiden claimers. He was claimed by Miyadi and owners Gary and Cecil Barber.
All Run (Last 3 Beyers: 71-80-73)
◗ He will be making his first start for trainer Richard Baltas, who shortens him back to a dirt sprint for the first time in more than a year. He’s an intriguing play on the turnback and off a fast recent drill.
Overcomer (Beyers: 73-7)
◗ Improved his Beyer Figure 66 points from first start to second, so with similar improvement in this spot he will run a 139, which should get it done.
◗ He’s been idle for five months. He showed good speed before going to the sidelines, so he could prove the one to catch.