Harryhee finds good spot in optional claimer

With seven wins from 27 starts, Harryhee knows where the wire is. He also thrives at Gulfstream Park West, and on Friday will try to improve his 2-1-0 record in three starts there when he runs in a $16,000 optional-claiming race. The six-furlong dash with first-level allowance conditions drew seven horses and goes as race 7 on a 10-race card that begins at 12:35 Eastern.

Trained by Ralph Nicks, Harryhee is coming off a runner-up finish behind Blings Express in a first-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 29. With Luca Panici aboard, Harryhee broke sharply and sat just off of pacesetter Blings Express for the first quarter-mile in the five-furlong dash. After dropping back to fourth on the turn, Harryhee rallied from along the rail to finish a clear second.

Blings Express has won 21 of his 74 starts for earnings of $451,178. He is on a roll with four victories in his last five races. None of the horses Harryhee will be facing Friday have such lofty credentials.

Harryhee’s last effort was a sharp improvement over his fourth-place finish in a $16,000 optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 24. If he builds on his strong performance, he could be a handful.

He drew the outside post and has tactical speed, and should get a nice trip from a stalking position with Panici riding again.

KEY CONTENDERS

Harryhee, by Hello Broadway
Last 3 Beyers: 84-69-74

◗ He likes the track and has the right running style for the shape of the race. He also handles a wet track well, and there is some rain in the weather forecast.

Ranger in Paradise, by U S Ranger
Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-64

◗ His Beyer Speed Figures are heading in the right direction for trainer Elizabeth Dobles, and he won’t mind the cutback in distance after forcing the issue before finishing third going seven furlongs at this level on Oct. 21.

◗ Blinkers come off, and Tyler Gaffalione goes on. The five-time winner earned his career-best 87 Beyer Speed Figure running without blinkers at Gulfstream Park West last year.

Vencedor, by Dialed In
Last 3 Beyers: 83-69-69

◗ Trained by Antonio Sano, he rallied to win a $50,000 conditional claimer on Nov. 1, and there should be speed coming back to him in Friday’s race.

◗ Both of his wins came over this surface, so we know he likes it here. However, he could bounce after earning his career-best Beyer Speed Figure.

Barry Karafin Bets, by First Defence
Last 3 Beyers: 70-70-86

◗ He can fire fresh and has been training forwardly after finishing fifth in his first try on grass at Gulfstream Park on July 7.

◗ The Steven Dwoskin-trained 3-year-old also won the only time he ran at Gulfstream Park West.