Madame Uno poised to step forward in Panama City

The quick Madame Uno might have a tactical advantage on chief rivals Bitacora and Unbridled Courage on Saturday when the three meet for the second time this summer in the $75,000 Panama City Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The Panama City, at a mile on turf, is an overnight stakes restricted to fillies and mares bred in Florida. The race drew 10, including main-track-only entrant Shanghai Starlet.

Josdesanimaux won the Panama City in 2016, was the runner-up in 2017, and is back on Saturday. The field also includes Treasure for Gold, a winner of her last two starts and a half-sister to millionaire Finallymadeit, and Starship Bonita, a multiple stakes winner who is 3.

KEY CONTENDERS

Madame Uno, by First Dude
Last 3 Beyers: 79-78-85

◗ Madame Uno finished third behind winner Bitacora and runner-up Unbridled Courage in the $100,000 Ginger Punch in her last start June 16 at Gulfstream. The 3-5 favorite, she was always prominent in the 1 1/16-mile race and finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Bitacora. The start was the first since April 28 for Madame Uno.

◗ Madame Uno can move forward in her second race back. She also can be closer to the pace than both Bitacora and Unbridled Courage, and her natural speed is an advantage as she shortens up a sixteenth in distance.

◗ Madame Uno became a stakes winner earlier this year when she captured the $100,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf in March at Tampa Bay Downs.

◗ Miguel Vasquez has the mount for trainer David Fawkes.

Unbridled Courage, by Leroidesanumaux
Last 3 Beyers: 88-81-63

◗ She has raced once since the Ginger Punch, winning the $75,000 Treasure Coast by a neck on July 14 at Gulfstream. The race gives her recency on both Bitacora and Madame Uno.

◗ Unbridled Courage will be moving back into the statebred ranks after defeating open company in the Treasure Coast.

◗ Nik Juarez has the mount for trainer Aubrey Maragh.

Bitacora, by Dominus
Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-74

◗ She has won her last two starts. She closed from off the pace to take an optional $16,000 claiming route over statebreds May 12 at Gulfstream, then last out was up by a half-length in the Ginger Punch.

◗ Tyler Gaffalione has the mount from the rail for trainer Peter Walder.