Green Mask in spot to finally end win drought

No question Green Mask has run some fast races against classy company the past two seasons. Last fall, he was beaten less than a length in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and two months ago he came up a neck shy as the runner-up in a four-horse photo at the wire of the Grade 2 Highlander at Woodbine.

For the first time in more than two years, the 5-year-old Green Mask will not be running in a stakes when he faces five other turf sprinters in Friday’s $90,000 feature at Belmont Park.

But while Green Mask owns good credentials, the fact remains he is winless in his last 12 starts, which makes taking a short price hard to swallow in the third-level optional $80,000 claimer at six furlongs. Finding a viable option to Green Mask, however, isn’t easy.

Two-time turf-sprint stakes winner Bold Thunder drops out of the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx Racing on Labor Day. He runs for a claiming tag for the first time since clearing his second allowance condition in January 2014. But his form this season is poor, and Parx-based trainer Patricia Farro is 3 for her last 59 in turf sprints on the New York Racing Association circuit.

A better option might be Dowse’s Beach, a Christophe Clement-trained 5-year-old who encountered stretch traffic last time out in a Saratoga sprint that produced two next-out winners.

RACE 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Green Mask, by Mizzen Mast

Last 3 Beyers: 101-101-93

◗ Based on Beyer Speed Figures and class, he’s the most likely winner. But he hasn’t won since May 2014, and trainer Brad Cox is only 1 for 14 in turf sprints run in New York.

Dowse’s Beach, by Disco Rico

Last 3 Beyers: 92-86-96

◗ In his last race, he finished a half-length behind Angry Moon, who came back to win an optional claimer with a 96 Beyer and finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Mosler, winner of last Saturday’s Laurel Dash with a 90 Beyer.

Life In Shambles, by Broken Vow

Last 3 Beyers: 96-102-90

◗ He has won three straight, but his lone win on turf came against $40,000 claimers, far softer company than he faces here.

Simon Bar Sinister, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 85-60-89

◗ He was in front after the first six furlongs of a mile race at Monmouth Park last month and won the last time he cut back from a mile to a turf sprint.