Navarro tries to keep rolling with It's Not Me

Trainer Jorge Navarro is having a huge year.

He is 7 for 21 at the Gulfstream Park West meet that began Oct. 8 and trails only Marcus Vitali in the standings. On the year, he is winning at a 29 percent clip and as of Friday morning had 98 victories. He won his second straight Monmouth Park training title this summer.

On Monday at Gulfstream Park West, Navarro will start It’s Not Me in one of the better races on the card, a $35,000 claiming sprint for 2-year-olds. Navarro claimed It’s Not Me for $16,000 out of a maiden win Oct. 20.

It’s Not Me won by 6 3/4 lengths that day, and even though he will be rising in price here, he figures as a top contender.

FORMULATOR FACT: In the last five years, Navarro has won 60 of 162 starts (37 percent) and has a positive return on investment of $2.47 with horses making their first start for him after being claimed. He is 2 for 3 with 2-year-olds off the claim during that period, with a $6.46 ROI.

Walk Away Slow also figures here for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. He won his maiden for $40,000 claiming in his Aug. 9 debut at Monmouth Park and then came back to finish fifth, beaten 10 lengths, against statebreds in the $62,000 Jersey Juvenile.

The top two finishers in that race, Posse Dreamin and Little Hitman, are nice prospects and would stand out in this field.

Wayne’s Way runs in Monday’s race for trainer Kathleen O’Connell, who dropped him in for a claiming price for the first time last out, and he finished third at this price level. The 56 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is only a point shy of what It’s Not Me earned in his win.

Moments Notiz back quickly

Trainer David Jacobson will wheel Moments Notiz back on a week’s rest on the Monday card.

Moments Notiz finished fourth last Monday in a race similar to this one – for horses who have started for a claiming price of $6,250 or for horses in for a $10,000 claiming price. This race is at seven furlongs, while last week’s was at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Moments Notiz, a winner of 18 of 34 starts, didn’t show his customary kick last week at 5-2 but may be more effective at this longer distance.

Karate Jack also should be considered. He has won three consecutive races since being claimed by Vitali in September, and the 80 Beyer he earned last out stacks up well here. He likely will be on the lead.

** The 10-cent pick 10 wager carries a guaranteed pool of $25,000 for a solo 10-for-10 ticket. Handle last Monday (Oct. 27) was $5,760, with one winning ticket (8 correct) sold for $3,104.