Ice Tea faces solid group in Benny the Bull Stakes

Horseplayers still looking for action after the Travers simulcast Saturday evening need look no further than the $100,000 Benny the Bull Stakes, which ends a 12-race Gulfstream Park card with an extremely competitive field of 12.

Ice Tea, unbeaten in three starts this year, could come a slight favorite in the Benny the Bull, but there’s at least a handful of his opponents who appear capable of victory in the seven-furlong race for Florida-breds.

First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern. As the 12th race, the feature caps all the late multi-race wagers, most notably the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (7-12), which had a carryover jackpot of $763,478 when the race week began Thursday. Post time for the feature is 6:29 p.m., some 45 minutes after the Travers.

The Benny the Bull is named for the Florida-bred who was voted the Eclipse Award as top sprinter of 2008.

The forecast for the local region calls for a chance of thundershowers and a high of 87.

The second legs of the Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds, the $200,000 Affirmed and $200,000 Susan’s Girl, are set for next Saturday at Gulfstream.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ice Tea, by Adios Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 95-93-92

◗ Trained by Mary Eppler, this 5-year-old gelding returned from a lengthy hiatus with a new attitude, reeling off three allowance victories ahead of this stern test to his quality.

Take Command, by Field Commission

Last 3 Beyers: 88-65-80

◗ One of three 3-year-olds in the lineup, this gray colt suddenly exploded with a four-length triumph in the Carry Back on Summit of Speed Day for trainer Terri Pompay.

Vincero, by Wrote

Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-86

◗ First or second in 11 of 18 starts, this handy 4-year-old comes well drawn in the outside post.

Mr. Jordan, by Kantharos

Last 3 Beyers: 87-83-77

◗ Easily the leading earner in the cast with $855,535 bankroll, this gray 7-year-old put forth a couple of solid efforts in the spring after going off form over the winter.

Driven by Thunder, by Overdriven

Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-94

◗ Back on just six days’ rest after contesting a high-end allowance on turf last Sunday, this 5-year-old gelding has been in sharp form in recent months.

Art G Is Back, by Exchange Rate

Last 3 Beyers: 88-75-89

◗ This gray colt has proven himself as one of the top 3-year-olds on the local circuit and enters off a nearly 14-length romp in an off-the-turf allowance.