Joes Blazing Aaron gets class relief in turf-mile feature
Joes Blazing Aaron looks like the one they will have to catch and beat in a $25,000 starter allowance at Gulfstream Park West on Wednesday that also carries a $35,000 claiming option. The one-mile race on turf drew nine horses and headlines a 10-race card that begins at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.
Trained by Peter Walder, Joes Blazing Aaron has never started for $25,000 or less in his 43-race career and will run for the price. The lowest he was eligible to be claimed for was $32,000 in just his third start when he was running on dirt. He did win a $40,000 maiden-claiming race in his fourth start on the main track here in 2010, but after being noncompetitive in his next three starts, he was given a shot on turf at Gulfstream, where he paid $148.60 for his win in a $50,000 claiming race. Proving that his shocking win wasn’t a fluke, he won the Grade 3 Palm Beach in his next start.
The classy 7-year-old gelding has raced primarily on turf since, and he has compiled an 8-4-4 record from 32 starts for earnings of $435,239 on grass. He is coming off a front-running win going 7 1/2 furlongs in a $62,500 optional-claiming race at Gulfstream on Sept. 25, and he could be gone if he breaks on top from the inside post with Edgar Prado retaining the mount.
Joes Blazing Aaron is 8-5 on the morning line, and with other speed in the field, he certainly is beatable. At 10-1, Starship Zorro is worth a look. The David Kassen-trained 5-year-old has an excellent 2-2-1 record from five starts at Gulfstream Park West and should appreciate the shape of the race.
KEY CONTENDERS
Joes Blazing Aaron (Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-91)
◗ He has the speed to take advantage of the inside post.
◗ Since moving to Walder’s barn, he has won twice and hasn’t earned a Beyer Speed Figure lower than 90 in four starts.
Starship Zorro (Last 3 Beyers: 82-83-86)
◗ The horse for the course should have speed to run at and could be sitting on a big effort in the third start of his form cycle.
Golden Rifle (Last 3 Beyers: 84-95-86)
◗ Trained by Marty Wolfson, he can stalk and could get a similar trip to the one he had when he beat Joes Blazing Aaron in the $75,000 Eight Miles East at Gulfstream on Aug. 8.