Pletcher comebacker Gioielli should run well fresh

Gioielli is the kind of horse with whom trainer Todd Pletcher wins boatloads of races. She showed promise as a 3-year-old last year, but after setting the pace and tiring to finish fourth in an optional claimer in her first try on turf Aug. 12, she went on the shelf. With a solid set of works showing, she figures to come back firing on all cylinders in Sunday’s feature at Gulfstream Park.

The horse she will have to beat in the first-level allowance race for Florida-bred fillies and mares is Hello Juliet. A Rohan Crichton-trained 5-year-old, Hello Juliet is coming off a win at the same level Feb. 15. The seven-furlong dash on the main track attracted a field of seven and goes as race 10 on an 11 race card that begins at 1:15 Eastern.

The past five years Pletcher has a 33 percent strike rate and $2.29 ROI with horses coming back from a layoff of 180 days or more. He appears to have Gioielli primed for a big effort. He certainly had her ready for her debut, a second-place finish behind now stakes-placed Heavens Pulpit in a maiden special weight race for Florida-bred fillies and mares. Gioielli hasn’t finished worse than second in three starts on dirt.

Prior to her last start, Gioielli forced the early pace before drawing off to win a maiden special weight race by three lengths with Tyler Gaffalione aboard. She should get a similar trip from the outside post with Edgard Zayas riding Sunday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Gioielli, by Macho Uno

Last 3 Beyers: 68-58-62

◗ She has been working steadily at Palm Beach Downs and should come out running in her first start as a 4-year-old.

◗ She drew the perfect post for her running style. If she doesn’t clear early, Zayas will likely have her sitting just off suspect speed.

Hello Juliet, by Adios Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 76-74-57

◗ Nothing but solid efforts in her three starts this year, and she comes off a nice win with Irad Ortiz riding on Feb. 15.

◗ She can fire fresh as evidenced by her win in an optional claimer in her first start last year. With a couple of sharp interim works it is easy to imagine her coming back with another strong performance.

◗ She will break from post 4 with Jonathan Gonzales riding. Gonzales was aboard when she won her comeback race in 2018.

Tiz Possible Dear, by Prospective

Last 3 Beyers: 64-66-68

◗ After finishing fourth to Hello Juliet on Feb. 15, she came from a stalking position to win a $35,000 conditional claiming race on a sloppy track on April 4.

◗ Toss her debut and the Aubrey Maragh-trained 4-year-old has yet to run a bad race. She is also lightly raced with just seven starts, so she could have plenty of upside.

◗ Her chances certainly improve if it comes up wet.