Just Foolin Around, War Classic get class relief in Tuesday feature

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Just Foolin Around has been a consistent sort all along but “just hasn’t been able to finish the job recently,” said trainer Tim Hills. That is a problem the veteran horseman hopes to solve by dropping Just Foolin Around in against conditioned-claiming opposition for the first time in Tuesday’s $22,000 main event at Gulfstream Park, carded at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Just Foolin Around, a homebred son of Keyed Entry owned by Larry Foggle, has not finished worse than fourth or been beaten more than 4 3/4 lengths in his last seven starts – although he owns only a single victory during that span, a half-length triumph against first-level allowance company last spring at Monmouth Park. Just Foolin Around will compete under a $35,000 claiming tag Tuesday in a race restricted to horses who have never won three races.

“It’s really a big drop in class from a non-winners-of-two-other-than optional-claiming and allowance race to this spot,” said Hills. “I don’t think the course suited him last time at Gulfstream Park West; he should go better on the firmer course at Gulfstream.”

Hills isn’t the only trainer seeking some class relief in Tuesday’s headliner. Ralph Nicks also is dropping War Classic out of the same optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park West and getting him back onto his favorite course. War Classic has posted both of his career wins at Gulfstream, including a first-level allowance victory here July 27.

Oklahoma Den will return to the conditioned-claiming ranks for the first time since winning at Parx on June 22, while Tale of the Heart and Arch Avenger also will try easier competition than they’ve been facing recently.

KEY CONTENDERS

Just Foolin Around (Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-80)

◗ Hills reaches out for Corey Lanerie to ride, the pair having hooked up for back-to-back victories earlier this season with Very Playful. “I’ve had tremendous luck with Corey in the past. He’s a very smart rider, and I’m glad he’s back here again,” said Hills.

War Classic (Last 3 Beyers: 62-82-83)

◗ He narrowly owns the best career turf Beyer Speed Figure, along with Just Foolin Around, of any member of this pretty evenly matched field.

◗ He will be facing conditioned-claiming company for the first time Tuesday.

Tale of the Heart (Last 3 Beyers: 69-82-77)

◗ He is another coming out of the Nov. 6 second-level optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park West, where he proved no match for Just Foolin Around.

◗ He proved competitive in his last local start against a stakes field that included Lochte, finishing fifth while defeated 4 1/2 lengths by the Grade 1 winner.

Empire Knight (Last 3 Beyers: 82-77-73)

◗ He is in dangerous hands, moving into Mike Maker’s barn off the claim and coming off one of his best efforts yet, an easy 2 1/4-length triumph facing conditioned claimers for the first time.

Arch Avenger (Last 3 Beyers: 64-82-81)

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: He is another member of this lineup who has changed hands since his last start, going out for the first time for Ramon Preciado, who has hit at a 35 percent rate, with a $2.81 return on investment, with new acquisitions over the last three years.

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