To handicappers, competitive starter stakes look Greek
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – In case you’re playing the races Friday and forgot that the extravagant Pegasus races will be run Saturday, Gulfstream Park has a subtle reminder for you.
Five consecutive starter allowances, each worth $60,000, will conclude the Friday card, with Gulfstream having named every race for figures who in Greek mythology have a connection to the mighty Pegasus.
The starter races are open to horses who have run for a claiming tag ranging from $12,500 to $35,000, depending on which Friday spot they’re entered in. They make up the late pick five (races 7-11) and the last five legs of the Rainbow 6 (races 6-11).
First post Friday is noon Eastern.
Chrysaor
It’s not often that a millionaire horse is eligible for starter conditions, but yep, there’s Melmich looming as large as the Pegasus statue itself in this 1 1/16-mile turf race for older horses.
Most recently second in the Grade 3 Valedictory at Woodbine, Melmich will race over turf for just the second time after having 39 of his 42 races on synthetic surfaces (Polytrack, then Tapeta) at Woodbine. If the 8-year-old gelding makes the transition smoothly, his class superiority could be difficult for his rivals to overcome. Jose Ortiz has the call from trainer Kevin Attard.
The Chrysaor, race 7 with a post time of 3:08 p.m., will have a full field of 12. Several opponents match up closely with Melmich, at least in terms of Beyer Speed Figures, including Chief Exchanger, Eminent Force, and Who’s Your Drama.
Eos
Jorge Navarro, who has led the trainer standings for much of the first eight weeks of the 2018-19 championship meet, is the central figure in this seven-furlong race for fillies and mares. Not only will he send out the speedy Starship Reina as the likely favorite, but he also is the former trainer of Misschief Maas, perhaps the chief threat in a field of eight.
In their last meeting, the opening-day Claiming Crown Glass Slipper, Starship Reina led as a lukewarm favorite until the final yards, when two rivals flew past, led by Misschief Maas, a 14-1 winner for Navarro. Both have raced once since then: Starship Reina easily won a starter race at 2-5, while Misschief Maas was claimed out of a Jan. 1 race from Navarro for $25,000 by Saffie Joseph Jr., who will give a leg up to Tyler Gaffalione prior to this intriguing rematch.
Navarro also is represented by Livin a Dream, who is one of several fringe players, along with Amaluna and Miss Contessa.
The Eos is race 8 with a post time of 3:39 p.m.
Bellerophon
This one-mile turf race for 3-year-olds is perhaps the most baffling of the quintet, with inconsistent or inscrutable form being prevalent throughout a field of 10. First and Three, a Florida-bred trained by David Fawkes, owns a field-high Beyer of 83, but that came over dirt, and his lone turf effort was on a par with some of his better opponents.
Max K.O. was an 8-1 winner in his first start on turf and around two turns last out and could challenge First and Three for favoritism. Dakota’s Dude was a three-back winner of a turf stakes here in September but has been dreadful in his last two. Tangible has valuable turf experience and Jose Ortiz to ride, but has finished second or third four times and won only once.
The Bellerophon goes as race 9 at 4:10 p.m.
Perseus
Many bettors looking for a single in the late multi-race wagers are likely to land on Uno Mas Modelo, whose recent form makes him a standout among a field of nine older horses in this seven-furlong race. Owner Ron Paolucci said he hopes Uno Mas Modelo will put forth a showing worthy of an invitation to one of the Dubai World Cup card races on March 30.
Uno Mas Modelo, with Javier Castellano to ride, has earned a Beyer of 90 or higher in his last seven starts, peaking with a 102 in winning the Bet On Sunshine during Breeders’ Cup week at Churchill Downs. If he is to somehow go off form, the most likely upsetters are Whyruawesome and Magnifier, both trained by Navarro.
The Perseus is race 10 with a post time of 4:41 p.m.
Andromeda
Not unlike its Friday counterpart, the Bellerophon, this one-mile turf race for 3-year-old turf fillies shapes up as quite a scramble. Isadorable Aida and Yako figure among a core of lukewarm favorites in a full field, with Sister Peacock being the wild card. Unbeaten in two races, she makes her first start on turf and around two turns.
Dah Philly and the Fawkes pair of Sand Drift and Jeanieonthebeach also could take their share of wagering action in the Andromeda, which is race 11 with a post time of 5:10 p.m.
