Narvaez adds intrigue to allowance feature
In the 29th start of his career, the 7-year-old gelding Tujoes ran faster than ever to win his first start for new trainer Phil Aristone. Impressive as his 98 Beyer Speed Figure and 10-for-21 record at Parx Racing looks on paper, Tujoes may now be a horse to bet against when he returns in Monday’s $46,000 feature.
Tujoes could be vulnerable at a short price when he returns for the optional $25,000 claiming tag in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint that is also open to second-level allowance horses.
One negative DRF Formulator statistic stands out that applies to Tujoes. Aristone is only 1 for 11 with dirt sprinters who won first time off the claim making their second start while returning in less than 30 days.
The most difficult horse to gauge is Narvaez, a 4-year-old gelding who was good enough to finish second in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint in February. But he is winless in his last 10 starts, dating to February 2013, and one start prior to finishing fourth to eventual Kentucky Derby champion Orb in the Florida Derby.
The field also includes Boogie Too, runner-up to Tujoes last time out as the 3-5 favorite, and last-out winners out of town Palm Island and Ration.
Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Tujoes (Last 3 Beyers: 98-87-89)
Remains at the same class level after stalking and pouncing going six furlongs three weeks ago. The last time he recorded a Beyer in the 90s, he regressed to a 57 in his next start while staying in the same class four weeks later.
Narvaez (Last 3 Beyers: 68-70-86)
Has faced much better horses than these this season, including Palace Malice, who beat him by 10 lengths in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap. Last win at seven furlongs or less came against maidens at Calder in November 2012.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Jorge Navarro is 5 for 21 (26 percent) with 67 percent in the money with new acquisitions making their first start in an allowance sprint following a break of 61 to 180 days.
Boogie Too (Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-98)
Owns 4 wins and 3 seconds in his last 7 starts, including daylight win in a first-level allowance at this same distance in July. Gets a rider switch to Roberto Alvarado after Pablo Fragoso was aboard for his last seven starts.
Palm Island (Last 3 Beyers: 86-45-76)
Ships in after clearing his first allowance condition at Monmouth Park in early August. Trainer Joe Orseno is 4 for 11 (36 percent) with a $3.65 return on investment with last-out winners returning in 31 to 60 days in an allowance sprint.
Ration (Last 3 Beyers: 72-89-63)
Changes barns to Mike Pino after winning back-to-back starts at Suffolk Downs. Returns to a sprint after winning going a mile and 70 yards in the mud in late July
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Pino is 9 for 27 (33 percent) with new acquisitions making their first start in a sprint following a layoff of 31 to 60 days.
Disarm (Last 3 Beyers: 89-94-89)
Fourth after getting used up in a duel in the same race that Tujoes and Boogie Too exit. Easily defeated first-level allowance runners in his previous start.