Jewel of a Cat meets Silver Sashay in Windley Key Stakes

Jewel of a Cat, coming off the fastest performance of her 22-race career in last month’s Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint Preview, and Silver Sashay, who has put together a four-race winning streak since April, will clash for the first time in Sunday’s $75,000 Windley Key Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The five-furlong turf sprint drew a field of eight fillies and mares and goes as race 3 at 1:35 p.m. Eastern.

The 5-year-old Jewel of a Cat cruised to a three-length victory Nov. 7 at Gulfstream Park West, earning a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure in the prep for the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint on Jan. 16. Even if she regresses slightly from that top, she should beat the competition in Sunday’s feature.

Silver Sashay, who also is a 5-year-old mare, won the Bougainvillea Handicap at Gulfstream in mid-July and most recently captured the off-the-turf Claiming Crown Distaff Dash on opening day of the championship meet.

The toughest horse to gauge is Tesalina, a 4-year-old filly who won four of her first five starts in her native Chile. Switched to turf for the first time Nov. 28, Tesalina finished second in the Battle of New Orleans at Fair Grounds, earning an 86 Beyer that would make her dangerous here if she moves forward.

Windley Key, Race 4

KEY CONTENDERS

Jewel of a Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 97-82-78)

◗ In addition to her impressive win last time out, this mare won the Ladies Turf Sprint last February the last time she raced on this course.

Silver Sashay (Last 3 Beyers: 73-85-84)

◗ She keeps winning but would need Jewel of a Cat to regress at least 10 points on the Beyer scale to beat her.

Tesalina (Last 3 Beyers: 86-76-71)

Perhaps the surface switch was what this filly needed to regain the form she displayed in South America. She’s trained by Wesley Ward, who is just 1 for his last 9 with turf sprinters shipping to Gulfstream.