Gulfstream Park: Free as a Bird capable closer in turf sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Backing horses rallying from off the pace in five-furlong grass races at Gulfstream Park is not usually a formula for success at the betting windows. But Free as a Bird appears capable of bucking that trend if she can repeat her last performance in Friday’s $51,750 feature, a second-level optional $62,500 claimer.

Free as a Bird rallied from near the rear of the pack after getting shuffled back shortly after the break to finish second as the even-money favorite under similar conditions here last month. The start was the first for the 5-year-old Free as a Bird since her third-place finish in a seven-furlong overnight stakes almost five months earlier at Belmont Park.

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Free as a Bird, trained by Ian Wilkes, was trying five furlongs for the first time since being switched to the grass on a permanent basis during the fall of her 3-year-old campaign. Breaking from the rail, Free as a Bird lost early position when steadied back along the inside, angled wide while commencing her bid entering the stretch, finished willingly, but could not get to pacesetter What a Party, who held on by a neck.

Free as a Bird won her only other appearance over the local turf course when she rallied to get up by a neck going 1 1/16 miles under entry-level allowance conditions here last winter. She should have ample pace to run at Friday, with Sweet and Lowdown, White Sangria, and Perfect Package expected to vie for the early lead.

White Sangria showed improved speed making her local bow six weeks ago, contesting a quick pace before drawing away to an impressive 3 1/4-length allowance win going five furlongs while earning a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure.

Perfect Package attended What a Party’s pace before succumbing, finishing third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Free as a Bird.

My Due Process returns to the allowance ranks off a third-place finish in the Ladies Turf Sprint but remains winless since the spring of 2012.