Miss Away at top of her game for Tuesday sprint

Miss Away figures to be a handful in a first-level, $16,000 optional-claiming race for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park West on Tuesday. The seven-furlong dash drew seven horses and goes as race 4 on an eight-race card that begins at 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

Trained by Yendri Pena, Miss Away is coming off back-to-back wins going six furlongs. She was making her first start in more than two months when she won a $30,000 conditional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 18. The 68 Beyer Speed Figure she received equaled her career best at the time.

Her victory in a $12,000 optional-claiming race for Florida-breds on Oct. 21 at Gulfstream Park West is what makes her a standout Tuesday. With Marcos Meneses aboard, she rallied from along the rail to win going away, and the 82 Beyer she received is easily the best in this field.

A 5-year-old mare with just 11 starts, Miss Away has never won a race longer than six furlongs. But she ran well going seven furlongs at Gulfstream on July 3 in her first start for Pena. Sent off at 63-1, she dueled on the lead through quick fractions and got nipped at the wire in a $12,000 optional-claiming race for Florida-breds. The winner, Hola Charlotte, romped in her next start in an open, $16,000 optional claimer.

Meneses retains the mount on Miss Away, who breaks from the outside post.

KEY CONTENDERS

Miss Away, by Run Away and Hide

Last 3 Beyers: 82-68-68

◗ She has improved dramatically since Pena took over her training.

◗ It looked like she was just getting warmed up when she blew by her rivals in her sharp win Oct. 21, and she could be sitting on another big effort Tuesday.

Formal Class, by Formal Dinner

Last 3 Beyers: 72-71-67

◗ Trained by Allen Hunter, the 4-year-old filly is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes at this level and could be the one they have to run down.

◗ She breaks from the inside post with leading rider Edgard Zayas aboard.

Racen, by Philanthropist

Last 3 Beyers: 53-77-76

◗ She lost by two lengths in back-to-back first-level allowance races at Gulfstream before turning in a dull effort in her most recent start Feb. 17.

◗ A two-time winner in Canada at Fort Erie and Woodbine, she can fire fresh and has been training forwardly for her new trainer, John Assimakopoulos.

Whistle, by Hold Me Back

Beyer: 60

◗ A half-sister to Grade 2-placed Scotland, she could have considerable upside potential after winning her debut in a maiden special weight race Oct. 9 for trainer Marty Wolfson.