Museeb exudes back class

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Museeb will likely be among the favorites when he makes his U.S. debut in Friday's $33,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park. But if Museeb runs back to his performance last season in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at York, he should be more like 1-5 to win the entry-level allowance event carded at a mile on the grass.

finished fourth, beaten just six lengths by Proclamation in the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes. Proclamation upset Soviet Song to win the Group 1 Sussex Stakes in his next start and was regarded as one of Europe's top threats for the Breeders' Cup Mile before being purchased by Godolphin Racing and sent home for the year.

Museeb finished in front of both Luas Line and Aragorn in the Jersey. Luas Line proceeded to win the Grade 1 Garden City Breeders' Cup before concluding her 2005 campaign in the BC Filly and Mare Turf. Aragorn has won the Grade 2 Oak Tree Derby and last weekend was beaten a head by Milk It Mick in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita.

Museeb was winless in three starts following the Jersey Stakes before being taken out of training in September. A homebred son of Danzig, Museeb was turned over to trainer Kiaren McLaughlin for his U.S. campaign and has trained well at Palm Meadows, where his workouts include a bullet five-furlong drill in 1:00.60 on Feb. 10 and a near-bullet five-eighths in 1:00.20 over the turf one week later.

Rafael Bejarano will ride Museeb, who will be racing on Lasix for the first time.

Museeb should have plenty of pace to run at with He's Impressive, Kipper West, and Sand Man all likely to show early speed. An honest pace would also be a plus for the stretch-running Pitchnicholas, who turns back to a mile after failing to muster a rally going 1 1/2 miles two weeks ago.

, who finished a troubled fourth against much stronger third-level allowance company on Feb. 9, will be ridden for the first time by Edgar Prado.

should relish the added distance after finishing third and fourth going five furlongs in each of his last two starts. The 4-year-old Eddie C. won his only start at a mile, rallying from just off the pace to win his career debut by 2 1/2 lengths here last spring.