Likely pace scenario in turf mile suits Extrordinary Jerry

Extrordinary Jerry could feast on what is likely going to be a fast and contested pace in a first-level allowance race for Florida-breds on Friday at Gulfstream Park. The one-mile race with a $16,000 claiming option drew seven horses for turf. Tell Me a Story will run if the race is moved to the main track.

Extrordinary Jerry is coming off a third-place finish in a $40,000 optional-claiming race on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita for trainer Doug O’Neill on Feb. 23. He trailed the field early before finishing full of run in the 6 1/2-furlong dash.

His lone win came going a mile on turf at Santa Anita, so the added distance shouldn’t be an issue. Adding to his appeal is that he will be making his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher. Over the past five years, Pletcher has a 25 percent strike rate with new shooters coming off a layoff of 61 to 180 days.

Extrordinary Jerry will break from post 6 with Edgard Zayas riding.

Unlockthepotential, trained by Fernando Abreu, also came from well back to just miss in his last start. With Zayas aboard, his strong late move came up a neck short in a race at this level going 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream turf course April 14.

He will break from post 4 with Jeffrey Sanchez picking up the mount. Sanchez rode him to a third-place finish in a similar race March 21.

KEY CONTENDERS

Extrordinary Jerry, by Overdriven
Last 3 Beyers: 90-85-84

◗ His 90 Beyer Speed Figure for his strong effort in his last start stands out, and with a solid set of interim works, he could be sitting on a big effort in his first start for Pletcher.

Unlockthepotential, by Crown of Thorns
Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-77

◗ He has improved in his two starts since being claimed by Abreu, and the shape of the race should work in his favor.

Max K. O., by J P’s Gusto
Last 3 Beyers: 83-72-73

◗ Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, he is facing older horses for the first time, but he gets some class relief, and the only other time he ran in a conditional claimer, he won.

◗ He forced the issue and held on well to finish fourth in the $100,000 Sophomore Turf at Tampa Bay Downs on March 31 and could be dangerous if he can sit just off the likely hot pace.