Jamie's Dancer should benefit from drop into statebred company

A summer of tough beats for trainer Barry Rose could come to an end in Gulfstream’s ninth race Sunday, a first-level, $37,000 allowance for Florida-breds in which the Rose-trained Jamie’s Dancer appears to hold an edge.

Jamie’s Dancer’s last few months of racing have mirrored the results of Rose, who has regularly gotten close to winning with numerous seconds and thirds but has fallen just short of the top prize. Jamie’s Dancer has two thirds and two seconds in four starts since June, losing twice in photo finishes.

Sunday might be the day she gets back into a winning groove. Moving from an open, first-level allowance to face statebred opposition, Jamie’s Dancer is matched against easier, and her rivals on a whole are either of modest ability or stepping up in class after racing with claimers.

A 4-year-old homebred daughter of Hal’s Image, Jamie’s Dancer has regular rider Miguel Vasquez aboard.

Of her six rivals in the six-furlong dirt sprint, Skippy Is Back and Ad Lutem seem to pose the greatest challenges. Skippy Is Back has won three of her last four, including two straight. Ad Lutem starts for winning connections and should benefit from a cutback in distance after fading to sixth in a seven-furlong race July 3.

Other entrants include Calling Me Home, fourth in a statebred allowance Aug. 4, running a length behind Jamie’s Dancer; turf-to-dirt runner Sweet Madea; Long Distance, who races first off the claim after a three-length victory in a $12,500 race for non-winners of two; and Competitive Player, fifth in her latest Aug. 4, a little behind Jamie’s Dancer and Calling Me Home. Competitive Player is the lone horse entered for the optional $12,500 claiming price.

Race 9

Key Contenders

Skippy Is Back, by Put It Back

Last 3 Beyers: 72-73-51

◗ This year, 11 of her 12 races have come in $6,250 claimers, with the exception coming last out, when she won a starter allowance Aug. 20.

Ad Lutem, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 56-65-41

◗ Has let down her backers at odds of 1-5, 5-2, and 2-1 in three losses since winning a maiden race in her debut by seven lengths.

Jamie’s Dancer, by Hal’s Image

Last 3 Beyers: 73-62-67

◗ A stalker, she should sit a favorable outside trip in midpack behind front-runners Skippy Is Back, Ad Lutem, and Long Distance.