Mishegas seeks third straight victory in allowance feature

Fans of starter-allowance races will want to take in the 10-race card at Gulfstream Park West on Sunday. Beginning with the second race, there are eight races ranging in restriction from $8,000 to $35,000 with starter-allowance conditions.

Seven are restricted to horses who have started for the stipulated price or less since Jan. 1, 2016. The featured eighth race is open to horses who have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less at any time.

The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses, including Mishegas, who comes off a win in the Grade 1 Celso Barbosa Classic at Camarero in Puerto Rico on July 31. Trained by Jose Jimenez, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding stalked the early pace before finishing full of run to win the 1 1/4-mile race by 5 1/2 lengths.

He was coming off a similar performance going 1 1/16 miles in a $40,000 claiming race for trainer Robertino Diodoro at Belmont Park. He was claimed out of the race by Nicholas Esler and subsequently sold privately to owner Oscar Establo.

He drew the outside post Sunday with Edgard Zayas riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mishegas, by Include

Last 3 Beyers: N/A-96-82

◗ He hasn’t raced for more than three months, but he went into the Barbosa off a two-month break and over the past five years Jimenez has a 19 percent strike rate with horses coming back at 61-180 days.

Dreaming of Gold, by Unbridled’s Song

Last 3 Beyers: 88-81-73

◗ The 5-year-old Florida-bred took them all the way in the $50,000 Bull and Whistle Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 1 and could take a big step forward in his second start following a layoff.

◗ Trained by Victor Barboza, he is versatile, so Emisaell Jaramillo will have more than one option after he breaks from post 8.

Indian Guide, by Cowboy Cal

Last 3 Beyers: 85-78-88

◗ The Saffie Joseph-trained 6-year-old was the runner-up to Dreaming Again in the Bull and Whistle, but with more speed in this field the shape of the race should work for him.

Jay’s Way, by Gone Astray

Last 3 Beyers: 89-98-92

◗ He has compiled a solid 2-2-1 record from 5 starts this year and should get a nice trip from a forward position with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.

◗ But he hasn’t raced since he was the runner-up in a third-level allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at Parx Racing on May 6, and he has never gone farther than a mile in his 16-race career.