Keystoneforvictory unproven going Home of the Brave's marathon distance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Class-wise, Keystoneforvictory appears to be a standout while facing six rivals in Monday’s $50,000 Home of the Brave starter-handicap stakes at Gulfstream Park. It’s the distance, 1 1/2 miles on turf, that is the unknown factor for him and all concerned in the feature on a special 11-race Memorial Day program.

Keystoneforvictory will be making his first start since finishing third as the 9-5 favorite in the rich Barbados Gold Cup on March 4 and will be returning to a course where he has posted five consecutive victories, including a hard-fought neck decision in the Claiming Crown Emerald in the final start of his 3-year-old campaign.

The Home of the Brave, which is open to any horse who has ever started for a claiming price of any value, will mark the first time trainer Mike Maker has asked Keystoneforvictory to compete beyond 1 1/8 miles.

“He didn’t have the greatest trip in Barbados and still ran a great race,” said Maker. “He’s done well ever since, and he really loves the Gulfstream Park turf course. Although you never know until they try it, I don’t think a mile and one-half will be a problem for him, and I just thought this would be a good place to find out.”

Maker also plans to run Ransack, whom he lost and then reclaimed one week later for $16,000 last winter. Ransack won an off-the-turf, conditioned claimer for the same price over a sloppy track earlier this month but, like his uncoupled mate, has never competed beyond nine furlongs.

Diamond Bachelor is the only member of the field with experience at 1 1/2 miles. The multiple stakes winner has tried the grueling distance twice without much success, albeit both times against graded-stakes opposition, most recently in the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight Handicap, where he finished last after setting the pace for more than a mile. Like Keystoneforvictory, he is well spotted against starter competition, having missed by a half-length to Royal Posse over the main track in the 1 1/8-mile Claiming Crown Jewel to close out his 2016 campaign.

Temple Fur is the only filly in the lineup, although she is somewhat proven around three turns, having finished fourth, beaten less than four lengths, in the Grade 3 Orchid going 1 3/8 miles. She is also a horse for the course, having registered four of her five victories over Gulfstream’s turf course.

Home of the Brave, Race 10

Key Contenders

Keystoneforvictory, by Shakespeare

Last 3 Beyers: 93-90-80

◗ He will carry the high weight of 123 pounds, conceding two to nine pounds to his rivals.

◗ His dam, Free Fee Lady, won three of her four career starts, including a stakes going 1 1/4 miles at Woodbine, during her brief racing career.

Diamond Bachelor, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 88-79-80

◗ Has the same running style as Keystoneforvictory and must avoid what could be a disastrous pace duel with the odds-on favorite.