Huasca returns from long layoff in sprint

Huasca will be welcomed back by some familiar foes when she makes her first start in almost a year Friday at Gulfstream Park in the ninth race, a $44,000 allowance sprint at six furlongs.

Two of her nine rivals faced her in 2015, with Huasca holding the upper hand. She finished in front of Distinta in three meetings last year and defeated Dogwood Trail in two of their three races together.

She and Dogwood Trail had a particularly good rivalry last year as 3-year-olds, with Huasca defeating Dogwood Trail in the Tangelo and Uanme stakes but losing to her in the Grade 3 Azalea on the Summit of Speed card.

Huasca could be at a fitness disadvantage Friday, not having run since a fifth in the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes last September at Churchill Downs, while seven of her rivals come off races just last month. She at least shows a steady work tab leading up to her return, breezing regularly at Gulfstream Park West for trainer Efren Loza Jr., who has won with five of his last 11 sprinters returning from layoffs of 180 days or longer.

A 4-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful, she is owned by St George Stable and ridden by Eddie Castro.

Besides Dogwood Trail and Distinta, the runner-up in the Monroe Stakes on July 31 at Gulfstream, the other noteworthy entries include Cult Classic, a fast recent allowance winner, and nine-time winner Winning for Sarah, who is eligible by racing for a $62,500 tag under the race’s optional claiming conditions.

Key Contenders

Cult Classic, by Quality Road
Last 3 Beyers: 80-76-60

◗ Easily handled entry-level allowance company July 14 at Gulfstream by pressing the pace, surging to the lead on the turn, and kicking away to complete six furlongs in 1:09.97.

Dogwood Trail, by Awesome of Course
Last 3 Beyers: 80-67-60

◗ After going more than six months without a top-three finish, she finally rebounded by finishing second to stakes winner and $615,000 earner Kiss to Remember in a similar allowance race July 31.

Huasca, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 83-86-85

◗ Consistently produces at a high level, with four wins, six seconds, and a third from 13 starts.

◗ Particularly effective with Castro aboard, winning three races from six starts under him, plus two seconds.