My Point Exactly steps down in class for King Cugat
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – My Point Exactly was dismissed at odds of 87-1 in his last start, the Grade 3 Penn Mile. On Saturday, My Point Exactly figures to be among the favorites in the $60,000 King Cugat Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds over his home course at Gulfstream Park.
Despite the long price, My Point Exactly proved extremely competitive in the Penn Mile, finishing fifth, beaten only 1 1/4 lengths by race winner Force the Pass and just a length behind runner-up Night Prowler, the winner of the Grade 3 Dania Beach here last winter. The outing was the third this season for My Point Exactly, who began his 3-year-old campaign with a pair of main-track starts that included a third-place finish in the Tarpon Stakes.
“He’s moving forward beautifully,” said trainer Bill Kaplan. “I’m still not 100 percent certain if turf or dirt is his preferred surface, but his last race on grass was very good, so we’ll keep him on it for now.”
My Point Exactly is one of two members of the King Cugat field exiting the Penn Mile. Comanche’s Storm finished ninth after contesting the pace into the stretch. Comanche’s Storm had finished second, beaten a neck by Rizwan, in the English Channel Stakes four weeks earlier.
Rizwan may be the one to beat. He won back-to-back starts before finishing third while stretching out to 1 1/2 miles against older horses in the Raymond Earl Handicap on May 25. Rizwan, a model of consistency for trainer Phil Gleaves, has captured four of his last five starts against 3-year-olds, including the English Channel on May 2.
◗ Little Alexis will stretch to a mile on the main track when facing six rivals, including four from trainer Marty Wolfson’s barn, in the $60,000 Barely Even Handicap for fillies and mares.
Little Alexis seeks her first victory since launching her comeback this spring. She finished a distant second behind Flutterby going 6 1/2 furlongs in the Sea Lily Stakes three weeks ago.
Team Wolfson is led by Best Behavior, who exits a disappointing outing in the Sea Lily, and Phaniebdeancing, the runner-up in an overnight handicap around two turns May 23. Quiet Hour and Lemon Lashes complete the Wolfson quartet.
Imposing Grace, the winner of the Sand Dollar overnight stakes in April, and Weekend Appeal round out the field.
King Cugat, race 9
Key Contenders
My Point Exactly (Last 3 Beyers: 85-80-56)
◗ He is a versatile sort who seems at his best from just off the pace. “He can run up front if need be or come from off the pace,” said Kaplan. “I hope he has someone to run at on Saturday. I wouldn’t want to see him on the lead.”
Comanche Storm’s (Last 3 Beyers: 81-86-88)
◗ Although on the lead in two of his last three starts, he ran his best race when off slowly and forced to rally from near the rear of the field in the English Channel.
Rizwan (Last 3 Beyers: 84-87-77)
◗ The starting highweight under 120 pounds, he carries one pound more than My Point Exactly and three more than Comanche’s Storm.
Barely Even, race 3
Key Contenders
Little Alexis (Last 3 Beyers: 76-68-86)
◗ She has made just one start beyond seven furlongs, finishing a good fourth despite a wide trip in the Grade 1 Cotillion at 3.
Best Behavior (Last 3 Beyers: 68-80-72)
◗ She won her only prior start at a mile, the restricted Glass Slipper Stakes, in her 2014 finale.
Phaniebdancing (Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-84)
◗ Turned in a game effort in defeat in her local debut, finishing second in the Alachua Handicap; looked good working an easy half-mile last Saturday.