New result likely in trio's rematch

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It has been three months since Endless Virtue, No Hear Say, and Rupert's Prospect finished a respective second, third, and fourth in a second-level optional claiming dash on Jan.o7. Their paths will cross again under similar conditions in Thursday's $46,000 feature at Gulfstream Park, but the results may not turn out quite the same.

Endless Virtue is always a good bet to finish second. The consistent but somewhat frustrating filly has been a runner-up in all three of her outings at the current meet and has finished second in 7 of her 10 starts over the past year. In that period she did win twice for owner-breeder Lee Lewis and trainer Mark Hennig, posting a maiden win and a first-level allowance victory last summer at Belmont Park.

Endless Virtue benefited from an early speed duel and an outside-biased racetrack when finishing in front of No Hear Say and Rupert's Prospect in the Jan. 7 encounter. She also must not bounce off the career-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure she earned after extending the odds-on Cuaba in a half-length defeat on March 12.

No Hear Say and Rupert's Prospect battled each other into submission in their previous meeting, dueling for the lead until deep stretch, and they must avoid a similar fate the second time around. No Hear Say has since changed barns via the claim box for $35,000 on March 2, and makes her first start for trainer Scott Lake.

Rupert's Prospect raced in the deepest part of the track along the inside rail when she succumbed grudgingly to both Endless Virtue and No Hear Say on Jan. 7, but bounced back six weeks later to defeat open $50,000 claiming opposition, winning by a nose in an eventful trip. Trained and owned by Steve Dwoskin, Rupert's Prospect won a second-level optional claimer by nearly seven lengths last fall at Calder and might have a slight edge over her two familiar rivals in the rematch.

Slew Proud dropped a tough nose decision to Rupert's Prospect on Feb.o17 after opening a seemingly insurmountable lead by midstretch. She will join her new stablemate No Hear Say as part of an uncoupled but formidable Lake duo in Thursday's race.

Travel Plans has failed to run back to the 100 Beyer Figure she earned in winning an entry-level allowance dash at Calder in her 2006 finale, finishing third and fourth in two subsequent tries over the local strip.

Speedy Sandy makes her first start since being transferred to trainer Bill Mott's barn. She, too, is winless in her last two tries after opening her career with a pair of impressive victories at Woodbine.