One of a Kind brings fine form, strong bloodlines to turf mile

One of a Kind is in the best form of his career and likely will be favored to win Saturday’s $47,000 fifth race, a one-mile first-level allowance with a $25,000 claiming option, if the race stays on the Gulfstream Park turf.

One of a Kind might be best known for whom he is related to rather than anything he has accomplished on the racetrack, being the older brother of Caledonia Road, last year’s champion juvenile filly.

Caledonia Road was an instant success, winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and finishing second in the Grade 1 Frizette at 2, but it took One of a Kind five starts to win his maiden and another 13 starts to beat winners.

Trainer David Kassen claimed the son of Lemon Drop Kid for $16,000 on behalf of Hickory Winds Farm out of that March 11 win on the Gulfstream turf. One of a Kind has flourished in his care, with a win and a second in two starts and career-high Beyer Speed Figures of 91 and 87.

“I really haven’t done anything special since we took this horse,” said Kassen. “Sometimes horses get in a new environment, get on a different program, and they just improve. And it looks like we took him at just the right time, when he seemed to be on an upward swing anyway.”

One of a Kind will break from the inside post on Saturday.

“Obviously, he’s got to come out of there and get position breaking from the rail, just like he’s done in the two starts since we got him,” said Kassen. “He’s trained well since his last race, so I expect him to run just as well again.”

One of a Kind could receive a stiff challenge from former stablemate Erasmo’s Dream, a late-running turf specialist who was scratched from last Monday’s Home of the Brave Handicap when the race was switched to the main track due to rain. Like One of a Kind, Erasmo’s Dream has peaked of late from a Beyer standpoint, although he has gone winless in his last seven starts.

A couple of promising 3-year-olds, The Green Mo’ster and Road to Damascus, also could figure prominently. The Green Mo’ster, a son of Uncle Mo, was a maiden winner last out and continues to improve. Road to Damascus takes on allowance company and tries grass for the first time, having been idle since finishing a late-running fourth in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park on March 17.

Saturday’s scheduled feature, the $75,000 Crystal River Stakes, was postponed and will now share top billing on Sunday’s card with the $75,000 Ana T. Stakes. Both are prep races for the Summit of Speed card on June 30.

The Crystal River, at five furlongs on turf, is headed by Pay Any Price, who holds the North American record for five furlongs on turf of 53.61 seconds. Curlin’s Approval will be heavily favored against just four other fillies and mares in the seven-furlong Ana T.