Pace, distance point to Smartly Agree

Smartly Agree appears to be sitting on a big effort and should appreciate the shape of the race when she runs in an optional $16,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The seven-furlong sprint drew six fillies and mares and goes as race 4 on a 12-race card that gets under way at 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

Trained by Gustavo Delgado, Smartly Agree likely would be running in a different race if she didn’t have such a rough trip when she was the runner-up at this level Aug. 28. Ridden by Edgard Zayas, she appeared to be full of run while in tight quarters early in the one-mile race. After steadying sharply and dropping back to last going into the turn, she regained her stride and finished full of run to lose by just a half-length to Delta Girl.

There should be an honest pace for her to work with Saturday, and her career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure was earned going seven furlongs in the $100,000 Azalea Stakes on July 2, so she shouldn’t mind the cutback in distance.

Smartly Agree drew post 2 with Cornelio Velasquez riding. Velasquez was aboard when she finished third in a key race July 22.

Zayas will be aboard Danessa Again, who is coming off a 13 1/4-length romp in a maiden special weight race for trainer Gilberto Zerpa on July 28. With Zayas aboard, she took control of the 6 1/2-furlong dash early and just kept widening.

Sweet Parang, trained by Ralph Nicks, was an easy six-length winner of a maiden special weight race Aug. 21 and likely will put pressure on Danessa Again right from the start.

KEY CONTENDERS

Smartly Agree, by Smart Strike

Last 3 Beyers: 80-78-85

◗ She hasn’t run a poor race since she returned to dirt in June following a couple of dull efforts on turf in the spring, and her sharp three-furlong work at Gulfstream Park West on Sept. 10 suggests that Delgado has her primed for another strong effort.

◗ Smartly Agree finished third to Curlin’s Approval on July 22, and Curlin’s Approval earned a 92 Beyer when she won the $75,000 Added Elegance in her next start Aug. 28.

Danessa Again, by Blame

Last 3 Beyers: 76-36-44

◗ She ran a huge race while coming off a layoff in her first start for Zerpa, and considering that she is the second foal out of the stakes-placed mare Cape Cod Lady and her older sibling Branded Hand has won five races and earned $225,962, she could have considerable potential.

Sweet Parang, by First Defence

Beyers: 70-47

◗ Similar to Danessa Again, she improved dramatically in just her second start and has the breeding to be a decent horse.