My Point Exactly back on best surface for Bear’s Den
Bill Kaplan gave a gray gelding named My Point Exactly another opportunity to prove his worth on dirt, only to be let down. A distant eighth-place finish in the Grade 3 Carry Back earlier this month at Gulfstream Park has led Kaplan to move My Point Exactly back to grass, a surface that has produced more favorable results as the Florida-bred 3-year-old has matured.
My Point Exactly not only has two wins from four turf tries, but he also was a decent fifth behind eventual Grade 1 winner Force the Pass in the Penn Mile three starts back. Those solid credentials should make My Point Exactly the horse to beat Saturday at Gulfstream in the Bear’s Den, the second of two $75,000 overnight stakes that anchor an 11-race card at the south Florida track.
Kaplan has trained such standouts as Musical Romance, East Hall, and Ekati’s Phaeton in his 35-year career, and My Point Exactly has shown occasional signs of becoming another big horse in the barn. Five Saturdays ago, he won the King Cugat after racing just off the early pace, a tactic employed in all three of his career wins.
Juan Leyva has a return call on My Point Exactly, who will break from post 5 in a field of seven 3-year-olds in the 1 1/16-mile Bear’s Den.
The Bear’s Den is carded as race 9 on a program that also includes the $75,000 Monroe Handicap (race 2). It’s a one-mile, main-track race in which trainer Marty Wolfson has three of the seven filly-and-mare runners, with Best Behavior likely to be favored over stablemate Kiss to Remember.
First post Saturday is 1:15 p.m. Eastern, with the Bear’s Den set for 5:41.
Bear’s Den, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
My Point Exactly (Last 3 Beyers: 61-84-85)
◗ Throw out the Carry Back debacle, in which he clearly was outside his element, and there’s little doubt he fits in this spot.
Two Step Temper (Last 3 Beyers: 68-75-76)
◗ Mike Maker-trained colt likely needed his last outing when third behind Semblance of Order; comes well drawn on the rail with Tyler Gaffalione named.
Semblance of Order (Last 3 Beyers: 76-73-79)
◗ Colt has grinded out victories in his last two grass attempts for Jena Antonucci and figures as one of the wagering choices with Jesus Rios up.
Good and Proper (Last 3 Beyers: 88-72-64)
◗ Eric Wirth homebred suddenly has become a player by winning back-to-back starts against lesser company; gets tested for class here.
Rizwan (Last 3 Beyers: 77-84-87)
◗ Beaten favorite behind My Point Exactly in the June 20 King Cugat certainly has shown the capability of making amends for trainer Phil Gleaves.