Itsmyluckycharm a rebound candidate in Portofino Bay

Despite her seventh-place finish in the $75,000 Honey Ryder on May 4, there are arrows pointing toward Itsmyluckycharm as the one to beat in the $75,000 Portofino Bay at Gulfstream Park on Friday. The 7 1/2-furlong race on turf for 3-year-old fillies drew seven horses and headlines a nine-race program that begins at 2:15 Eastern.

Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., Itsmyluckycharm went into the Honey Ryder on a roll, having finished first in five consecutive races, including a victory over Sister Peacock in the $60,000 Mrs. Presidentress on Feb. 18. She was much the best in her next start on April 14 in a $35,000 starter with a $35,000 claiming option going 7 1/2 furlongs on turf. However, with Paco Lopez aboard, she bullied her way to the lead at the top of the stretch and was disqualified by the stewards to 10th.

It is easy to forgive her for not finishing off the deal in the Honey Ryder. Breaking from post 11 in the 1 1/16-mile race on turf, she made a strong move while going wide on the stretch turn and then hung. While she was going wide on the turn, the winner, Vow to Recover, was getting a perfect trip from along the rail on her way to a 2 3/4-length victory.

Itsmyluckycharm will appreciate the cutback in distance and the move to an inside post, from where she should be able to save valuable ground. She will break from post 2 with Albin Jimenez riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Itsmyluckycharm, by Itsmyluckyday
Last 3 Beyers: 70-78-78

◗ As the only stakes winner in the field, she is the class of the party, and with tactical speed she figures to get a nice trip from a forward position.

Sweet Hitch Hiker, by Take Charge Indy
Last 3 Beyers: 81-66-50

◗ Trained by Lilli Kurtinecz, she overcame adversity to win a first-level allowance race for Florida-breds with a $16,000 claiming option on May 5, and the 81 Beyer Speed Figure she received is the best in the field. With Jairo Rendon aboard, she broke a step slowly in the one-mile race on turf, was last at the halfway mark, and looked hopelessly beaten turning for home. However, she put on the afterburners in midstretch and got up in the last jump to edge Lovely Luvy by a nose.

◗ She was a lot closer to the pace when she won a maiden special weight race going 7 1/2 furlongs on turf in her previous start on April 7, so Emisael Jaramillo will have more than one option depending on how she breaks from post 4.

Indicia, by Skipshot
Last 3 Beyers: 74-63-62

◗ The Heather Irion trainee took a huge step forward when she finished third in the Honey Ryder, and with a sharp five-furlong move at Gulfstream Park West on May 31, she could be sitting on another big effort.

◗ She rallied from well back in the Honey Ryder but was close to the pace when she won a $50,000 maiden-claiming race going a mile on turf in her previous start on Feb. 7.