Moonlight Bandit back on turf in allowance feature
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – After moonlighting on dirt in his last several starts, Moonlight Bandit will return to what may be his preferred surface, turf, and could be the one to beat in Saturday’s $43,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.
Moonlight Bandit, haltered for $30,000 out of a winning effort by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. here last winter, has won two of seven career starts on grass but has made each of his last three appearances on the main track. He won the first of those tries, and did so rather easily, in a race switched from the turf to a sloppy main course, drawing off to a 7 1/4-length starter-allowance victory May 21. He finished a troubled second under optional-claiming and allowance conditions next out before disappointing as the odds-on choice against similar last time.
“He is versatile, and that’s why we claimed him, but he just seems to have a better kick on turf than dirt,” Joseph said. “The first time we ran him on the grass after the claim, he was coming off a virus, then he won impressively the next time in a race that came off the turf, so we just didn’t want to change things at that point. But he’s ready to go back to the grass, and this is the first time since we’ve had him that we’re really happy with the way he’s going into a race on turf.”
Dreaming of Gold returned to south Florida to finish an even fifth in The Vid Stakes earlier this month and should benefit from being back with allowance foes in this one-mile race. Dreaming of Gold began his career locally with trainer Mike Maker but did all his running earlier this season on the West Coast with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. He turned in a series of good efforts but failed to win in five starts against optional-claiming and allowance competition.
Rain or shine, trainer Todd Pletcher figures to have at least one key contender in the race, having entered Stockyard for the grass and both Conviction and Vees Boy for the main track only. Stockyard is coming off a near miss against similar opposition at Monmouth Park five weeks ago and does have experience over the local course, finishing a close third after making the pace against maiden special weight company here last winter.
Like Moonlight Bandit, the improving Boca Scuttlebutt moves back to grass and should improve off a third-place finish on dirt two weeks ago, when he earned a career-best 80 Beyer Speed Figure despite bobbling at the break and racing wide throughout.
Key Contenders
Moonlight Bandit, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 76-82-77
◗ Projects to sit a stalking trip under apprentice Lane Luzzi behind the speed of Lottery Ticket and Stockyard.
Dreaming of Gold, by Unbridled’s Song
Last 3 Beyers: 83-88-92
◗ He’s been a beaten favorite five times in this category since last summer at Saratoga.
Stockyard, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 82-43-81
◗ Had his last effort flattered when race winner Here’s to Mike won his third straight, easily defeating $10,000 starter-allowance company in his most recent start at Parx.