Perfect Step solid favorite in turf sprint feature
In days gone by, Perfect Step wouldn’t have been eligible to beat up on the same fillies and mares she defeated three weeks ago at Gulfstream Park in south Florida.
But with the morphing and melding of race conditions, Perfect Step on Sunday will face four of the same rivals she whipped last out by being entered right back for $25,000. Off that convincing score, she figures as a solid favorite in Sunday’s feature, a $44,000 turf sprint governed not only by a first-level allowance condition but that all-important $25,000 claiming option.
Previously trained by Christine Janks, Perfect Step was turned over to Ron Spatz following a failed effort in a May 16 overnight stakes at Gulfstream. The 6-year-old Illinois-bred Perfect Step scarcely could have been more dominant July 5 when contesting the early pace and drawing clear by three lengths under Eddie Castro, who has the mount back Sunday in the lone allowance on an 11-race card.
Nine others are entered against Perfect Step in the ninth race, including the quartet who chased her home July 5: Our Liberty Bay (second), Knox County Zip (third), Pelagia (fifth), and Lapantalones Fance (seventh).
After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for three days before another four-day race week resumes Thursday. First post daily is 1:15 p.m. Eastern.
Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Perfect Step (Last 3 Beyers: 78-64-66)
◗ Can’t imagine fans will see so much as even-money this time on a mare who was a lukewarm favorite in the July 5 romp; seemingly will need for Castro to secure a forward position before allowing her to assert her class.
Knox County Zip (Last 3 Beyers: 67-65-74)
◗ This 3-year-old faces her elders again after having finished a decent third in the key July 5 race despite not showing her usual early foot; comes well drawn toward the outside, from where Edgar Prado will seek clear sailing.
Woo Pass (Last 3 Beyers: 60-70-73)
◗ Rail-drawn mare wasn’t one of those defeated last out by Perfect Step, as she last raced in a June 6 overnight stakes at Gulfstream won by multiple graded winner R Free Roll; her races have been spaced far apart, but if she’s right, she could factor into this.