Gulfstream's Friday card has talent throughout

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Anybody who felt that the opening month of the Gulfstream meet – which began in December instead of the traditional January date – might come up a little light from a quality standpoint need only look at Friday’s program to think otherwise.

Along with an outstanding main event that features the return of Adios Charlie and the local debut of one-time Kentucky Derby prospect Uptowncharlybrown, Friday’s 11-race card at Gulfstream Park also includes two other noteworthy allowance races topped by a 6 1/2-furlong entry-level dash for 2-year-olds that matches a pair of undefeated Bernardini colts, Consortium, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, and Algorithms, from Todd Pletcher’s barn. Consortium drew post 5, with Algorithms in the outside post 6.

Consortium, a Darley Stable homebred, began his career on Nov. 12 at Aqueduct, rallying from mid-pack to an impressive 4 3/4-length victory. Another big effort on Friday would likely propel Consortium into the Grade 3 Holy Bull on Jan. 29.

“He’s a serious horse, serious, and a 2-year-old coming to 3 that we hope is in on the right trail to the right races,” said McLaughlin. “He won his first start easily and did everything right, but he’s certainly in tough Friday. That race is like a graded stakes with Todd’s horse in there. I wish we could trade post positions with him, but our colt doesn’t necessarily have to win to move on. We’re looking for another big effort to use this race as a stepping-stone to the Holy Bull.”

Algorithms made his debut early at 2, winning a five-furlong maiden special weight dash by 5 1/4 lengths on June 3. He has been training well for his return at Palm Meadows, where he posted a bullet five-furlong work on Dec. 4. Algorithms, who is owned by Starlight Racing, is a half-brother to three graded stakes winners: Keyed Entry, Justin Phillip, and Successful Mission.

Keyed Entry, who was owned in part by Starlight, set the current 7 1/2-furlong track record of 1:28.42 winning the 2006 Hutcheson. He was also the early pacesetter that spring in the Kentucky Derby.

Consortium and Algorithms will face four rivals in Friday’s third race, which includes trainer Reed Combest’s speedy and improving Two Is to Many; Distort This and Seven Kind, both of whom won a maiden race in their most recent start; and Rex’s Last Tour.