Ocala Flame Handicap key test for Benefactor

Benefactor will be under the microscope in the $50,000 Ocala Flame Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Friday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds drew six horses, and the way Benefactor won a maiden special race in his first start this year suggests he could have a bright future.

Purchased by WinStar Farm and the China Horse Club for $425,000 out of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training last year, Benefactor made just one start as juvenile. He finished fifth in a one-mile maiden special weight race on turf at Belmont Park and got beat by just more than three lengths for second. Like the rest of the field, he was no match for Ticonderoga, who won the Grade 3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream three starts later.

Trainer Todd Pletcher had Benefactor primed for a big effort when he returned in a maiden special weight race on the main track at Gulfstream on May 13. With leading rider Tyler Gaffalione aboard, he sat just off even-money favorite Valdocco before taking control of the six-furlong sprint in midstretch.

“We were very pleased with his comeback race and the way he’s trained following that,” said Pletcher. “We are hoping for continued progression.”

Benefactor will break from post 3, with Gaffalione retaining the mount. He should get a trip similar to in his maiden win, stalking Coronado Again, who will undoubtedly be the one they have to run down.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Benefactor, by More Than Ready

Beyers: 81-57

◗ The water is a lot deeper, but he showed a lot of promise in his comeback race, and with a couple of bullet interim works, he could take a big step forward here.

Coronado Again, by Gemologist

Last 3 Beyers: 78-82-44

◗ Trained by Antonio Sano, he romped when he cleared early in a $75,000 optional claimer May 12 and then couldn’t keep up after dueling through a quick half-mile in the $50,000 Opening Mind on May 28.

◗ The speed of the speed, he could be gone if he breaks alertly from post 2 with Leonel Reyes riding.

Quinientos, by Sky Mesa

Last 3 Beyers: 87-58-74

◗ The Enrique Sanchez-trained Kentucky-bred was overmatched in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and Grade 1 Florida Derby, but he looked good winning a $25,000 optional-claiming race in his latest start, and the 87 Beyer Speed Figure he received is the best in the field.

◗ Not sure what kind of trip he’ll get from the inside post, but he may have been trying to tell us something when he worked a bullet three furlongs in 34.80 seconds Monday.