Mal Guapo might be long gone in Thursday feature

It is tough to identify a clear favorite in race 9 on Thursday at Gulfstream Park, a one-mile race for horses that have started for a claiming price of $12,500 or less, or for $16,000 claimers. Only one horse in the field of eight, Marrakech, has been entered for the price.

If Mal Guapo gets away on his own like he did in his 12 1/2-length romp going a mile in a $6,250 claiming race July 4, he could be tough to reel in. With Edgard Zayas aboard for trainer Oscar Gonzalez, he set a reasonable pace on his way to dominating his 12 opponents. However, returning in a $10,000 starter optional-claiming race with Luca Panici riding July 14, he dueled through quick fractions over a sloppy track before fading to finish sixth.

Mal Guapo is the speed of the speed in Thursday’s race, and the 89 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his blowout win would likely be good enough again.

He will break from post 5 with Panici retaining the mount.

Post time for the first of 10 races is 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mal Guapo, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 66-89-73

◗ At 6-1 on the morning line, he is an attractive proposition as the main speed. The 13-time winner with earnings of $319,878 has plenty of back class, and in his last start he may have bounced coming back in just 10 days following his impressive win.

Crocodile Charlie, by Adios Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-74

◗ With Zayas riding, he upset heavily favored Benefactor in the $50,000 Ocala Flame Handicap on June 9 before he had a rough trip going seven furlongs in the Grade 3 Carry Back on July 1, finishing fourth in the 11-horse field.

◗ Trained by Rohan Crichton, he is the lone 3-year-old in the field and has never faced older horses. He also will be going a middle distance for the first time. His dam, Hap E to Run, is a route winner, but Rohan hasn’t won with the last 14 horses he started that were going a mile or longer for the first time.

◗ He will break from post 2 with Zayas aboard.

Chiseled, by Malibu Moon

Last 3 Beyers: 77-73-83

◗ The 6-year-old Florida-bred has compiled a 5-3-2 record from 12 starts at Gulfstream and at the least should be part of any exotics ticket.

◗ In his runner-up finish behind Tough Customer in a $25,000 optional-claiming race July 9, he got carried out very wide by the winner on the stretch turn.

◗ The Peter Walder trainee drew the rail, with leading rider Tyler Gaffalione retaining the mount.

Bama Bound, by Leo’s Gypsy Dancer

Last 3 Beyers: 80-78-72

◗ Trained by Angel Quiroz, he is an obvious contender after just missing in the same race Mal Guapo exits.

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