Quiet Force should be ready to show his best in turf mile

Quiet Force could be sitting on a big effort in a $62,500 optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Thursday. If he is, he could win the one-mile race on turf for 3-year-olds and up; it appears to be a wide-open event.

None of the seven horses entered is in for the price.

Mike Maker had a lot of success with Quiet Force after he took over his training in 2014. Under his care, Quiet Force won four races, including the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park in 2015. Maker lost him on Feb. 4, 2016, when he was claimed for $35,000 out of a winning race at Gulfstream by trainer Peter Walden, who was acting on behalf of Imaginary Stables and Rev It Up Racing.

Maker was reunited with Quiet Force after the 7-year-old finished fifth in a $25,000 optional claimer for trainer Fernando Abreu on Feb. 8. In his first start back with Maker, he rallied to finish a close third going 1 1/16 miles in a $35,000 starter optional-claiming race March 17.

Quite Force, who is still co-owned by Imaginary Stables along with Rev It Up Racing, has had four solid works since his narrow loss and appears to be primed for a big effort with leading rider Tyler Gaffalione picking up the mount. He drew post 3.

Maker is also represented by Two Step Time, who is coming off a sixth-place finish in the $100,000 Turf Classic for Florida-breds at Tampa Bay Downs on April 2.

KEY CONTENDERS

Quiet Force, by Dynaformer
Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-74

◗ With 10 scores from 30 lifetime starts, he knows where the finish line is, and the Grade 3 winner has a solid record on this course going this distance.

Two Step Time, by Two Step Salsa
Last 3 Beyers: 74-78-92

◗ He regressed after he finished third in the $75,000 Tropical Park Derby last December, but he is dropping in class and should move forward in his second start following a layoff.

R. Great Adventure, by Limehouse
Last 3 Beyers: 88-84-82

◗ Trained by Keith Bourgeois, he owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure among the horses who have started this year, and he earned it on his first try on this course, going 7 1/2 furlongs in a $35,000 starter optional claimer April 14.

Keepthedreamalive, by Leroidesanimaux
Last 3 Beyers: 92-79-76

◗ He won a one-mile, first-level allowance race in his final start as a 3-year-old for trainer Christophe Clement last July and will be making his first start as an older horse for trainer Joseph Orseno.

◗ He has decent tactical speed, and in a race with no confirmed front-runners, he could be the one they have to run down if he breaks alertly from the outside post with Edgard Zayas riding.