New style may benefit R Man Joe in turf-sprint feature

R Man Joe showed a new dimension in his most recent start, and such tactics could serve him well again Friday when he faces a number of opposing speed horses in the featured third race at Gulfstream Park.

R Man Joe goes in a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds that carries an optional claiming price of $75,000. The race, which will be run over five furlongs on turf, drew a field of 11.

R Man Joe defeated older rivals last out when he won a maiden special weight turf sprint Aug. 8 at Gulfstream. He tracked the pace before going on to a two-length victory under Emisael Jaramillo. R Man Joe had set the pace in his prior starts, including a runner-up finish in the $75,000 Texas Glitter in March – also under Jaramillo at Gulfstream.

“After the last race, Jaramillo said he can do either or,” said Georgina Baxter, who trains R Man Joe. “If the pace is really quick, maybe he stalks them. Jaramillo said he enjoyed himself, running at a target.

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“Mentally, he’s easy. He’s just really a classy horse.”

R Man Joe drew an accommodating post for Friday, getting gate 11. Apprentice jockey Joseph Trejos will be aboard, and the pair could get an ideal trip behind speed horses U S S Colton, Bahamian Beat, Gran Old Parr, and Henry’s World.

R Man Joe is a turf-sprint specialist, with four of his five starts coming under such conditions. He had run second four times before the maiden score earlier this month, which came in his first start since April.

“He’s training good,” Baxter said. “It’s a quick turnaround for us, [but] he was coming off a layoff. He’s coming up to the race really good, training well.”

R Man Joe will tote three to five pounds less than each of his rivals.

R Man Joe ran five furlongs on firm turf in 55.84 seconds last out, and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 77. The best last-race number in Friday’s field is an 81, put up by Grand Old Parr.

R Man Joe is a son of Kantharos who races for the partnership of Averill Racing, Silver Oak Stable, Jim Stackpoole, and M and G Stables.

Jockey Miguel Vasquez, the 25-year-old who won six races last Saturday at Gulfstream, has the mount on Allegedly Perfect. The horse is coming off a win at this level June 30. Vasquez also was named to ride main-track-only entrant With a Bit of Luck.

Allegedly Perfect earned a Beyer of 78 for his win last out, which was his second behind a maiden special weight victory in May at Gulfstream. Vasquez also was aboard that day, with both starts for Brazil Stables and trainer David Fawkes.