Improving claim Royal Squeeze must ration his speed in Big Drama

Royal Squeeze could be a decent price when he goes for a hat trick in the $100,000 Big Drama on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The seven-furlong dash for Florida-breds drew 11 horses and appears to be a wide-open event. It goes as race 10 on a 12-race card that begins at approximately 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

Royal Squeeze is on an upward trend after being claimed by trainer Elizabeth Dobles for $25,000 on Feb. 8. Dobles was acting on behalf of Imaginary Stables and Glenn Ellis.

With John Velazquez aboard in Royal Squeeze’s first start for his new connections, the 7-year-old gelding dueled through moderate fractions on his way to a three-quarter-length victory going six furlongs in a $35,000 starter race with a $50,000 claiming option March 20.

Samy Camacho was aboard when he romped going seven furlongs in a $12,000 starter race with a $20,000 claiming option April 11. The 93 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his 5 1/4-length win equaled his career best. It also is the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in the field.

Dobles downplayed her role in Royal Squeeze’s improvement.

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“He was a happy horse when we got him, and I’m just trying to keep him that way,” she said. “He’s very lively and a bit uncontrollable. Hopefully, the rider can take enough hold early so he doesn’t go too fast. I was hoping for that last time, and he went 44 and change.”

The quick split didn’t slow Royal Squeeze down at all, and it is safe to assume he will be in the mix early if he breaks sharply from the inside post under Camacho.

KEY CONTENDERS

Royal Squeeze, by Wildcat Heir
Last 3 Beyers: 93-83-81

◗ He couldn’t be going any better for a hot trainer who has won with 30 percent of her starters at the meet. Plus, with a 6-2-2 record from 13 starts at Gulfstream the former stakes winner thrives on the local surface.

Kroy, by The Factor
Last 3 Beyers: 81-86-92

◗ The classy 5-year-old has done his best work on turf, but he can handle dirt just fine and was the runner-up to Mr. Jordan in this race last year.

◗ This will be just his second race of the year for trainer Georgina Baxter, who is having a strong meet. Adding to his appeal is that over the past year at Gulfstream Baxter has a 25 percent strike rate and $1.67 return on investment with horses making their second start following a layoff.

Garter and Tie, by Brooks ’n Down
Last 3 Beyers: 86-77-77

◗ Trained by Ralph Nicks, he is the lone 3-year-old in the field and will be facing older horses for the first time.

◗ After finding Maximum Security well beyond his scope in the Florida Derby, he rallied late but just missed when he cut back to seven furlongs in the $75,000 Roar on April 20.

◗ Royal Squeeze and Kroy both want to be involved early, and he could pick up the pieces if they get carried away up front.