Improving fillies may have edge in starter spot

Toni Ann’s Miracle and Aurora Princess took big steps forward the last time they ran, and if they continue their upward momentum they could form the exacta in a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies that will serve as Thursday’s feature at Gulfstream Park.

Nine were entered in the $35,000 starter race, which has a claiming option for the same price. It goes as race 8, the second-to-last leg in the Rainbow 6 sequence, which has a $572,287 carryover going into Thursday’s card.

Toni Ann’s Miracle, trained by Larry Pilotti, earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 78 in her last start, which came in a first-level optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies on April 6. She finished in a dead heat for first with Luzmimi Princess, but ended up taking home the lion’s share of the purse when the stewards disqualified Luzmimi Princess to second for interfering with Toni Ann’s Miracle in the stretch.

Could Toni Ann’s Miracle bounce after running such a big race? Sure, but it was her fourth win in 11 starts, and she came back with a sharp half-mile move in 48.00 seconds on April 18, so there is a good chance she will continue her forward progress

She has speed and will likely show it breaking from post 4 with Jose Batista retaining the mount.

Aurora Princess earned a 48 Beyer when she won a $16,000 maiden-claiming race March 7 in just her second start. Compare that with the 74 she received when she was the runner-up going seven furlongs a month later in a race with the same conditions as Thursday’s feature.

She is clearly headed in the right direction for trainer Oscar Gonzalez. Acting on behalf of Vicente Stella Stable, Gonzalez claimed her for $25,000 when she debuted as the favorite Feb. 4, finishing fifth.

She will break from the rail with Miguel Vasquez, aboard for her maiden win, back in the irons. Emisael Jaramillo, who rode her last time, will be aboard Tampa Bay Downs-based R Swift Taylor on Thursday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Toni Ann’s Miracle, by Hear No Evil
Last 3 Beyers: 78-62-52

◗ Her Beyer Speed Figures are heading in the right direction. Considering she has four wins and two seconds at the distance, she should be part of any exotics ticket.

Aurora Princess, by Archarcharch
Last 3 Beyers: 74-48-19

◗ She’s had just three starts, and being a half-sister to two-time stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Dill Or No Dill her best races could be in front of her.

R Swift Taylor, by Corfu
Last 3 Beyers: 69-66-67

◗ She is coming off a runner-up finish in a $75,000 optional race at Tampa Bay Downs, and with four wins from six starts she knows where the wire is. This will be her first start at Gulfstream but with wins on sloppy and fast tracks as well as turf, the Gerald Bennett-trained Florida-bred appears able to handle any surface.

Pure Blanco, by Wrote
Last 3 Beyers: 60-57-56

◗ Trained by Edward Plesa, she has the right style for the race and should appreciate being back on dirt after going unplaced in two starts on the local turf course. In her only other start she rallied to win a $35,000 maiden claimer on the main track at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 16.