Race Day Speed continues to climb claiming ladder
Race Day Speed could be a handful as she goes for her fourth win in her last five starts in the 6 1/2-furlong feature race Thursday at Gulfstream Park.
The 6 1/2-furlong, $20,000 claiming dash for 3-year-old fillies, or older fillies and mares who are nonwinners-of-two, drew eight horses and goes as race seven on an eight-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern.
Race Day Speed, trained by Tamara Levy, is stepping up in class, but the 67 Beyer Speed Figure she received for her 2 1/4-length victory in a $12,500 claimer with the same conditions Aug. 8 is the best last-race figure in the field and the shape of the race should work for her.
A 3-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Race Day, Race Day Speed came from well back to win her last race going away, and there will be speed coming back to her Thursday. In the two previous wins in her current streak, the five-time winner came from a stalking position to win back-to-back $6,250 claiming races for fillies and mares nonwinners of three on May 30 and June 26. Her lone loss since May 30 was in a $12,500 claimer with the same conditions as this race.
The only caveat is that she was a vet scratch when entered in a first-level allowance race Aug. 21. She worked a solid half-mile on Sept. 17, though, and with 13 starts this year she probably did not mind taking a short break.
Race Day Speed will break from post 5 with Chantal Sutherland up.
Battle Cry will not mind the shape of the race and figures to move forward in her second start back for trainer Angel Rodriguez.
The Florida-bred daughter of Prospective went on the shelf after she rallied to finish second in a first-level allowance race for Florida-breds on May 20. In her comeback race, she was up close to an honest pace before backing up in a $35,000 claimer for fillies and mares nonwinners of two on Sept. 12. With a race behind her, she could be dangerous with Jonathan Gonzales retaining the mount.
The Leon McKanas-trained Appointed romped the last time she ran in a conditioned claimer on the main track and will appreciate being back on dirt following three straight races on turf, the latest a sixth-place finish in a $35,000 claimer with the same conditions as this race. The winner, Sunshine Kitty, completed a hat trick when she repeated in the $75,000 Miss Gracie on Sept. 4.
Sweet Penelope was impressive winning a $12,500 maiden claimer for trainer Diane Morici and could be dangerous if she can clear early. Karatbars and High Glory may have something to say about that, though.
◗ The $1.4 million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series will wrap up Saturday with the $400,000 My Dear Girl for juvenile fillies and the $400,000 In Reality for 2-year-olds.
The 1 1/16-mile races will be supported by the $125,000 Wildcat Heir for 3-year-olds and up sired by accredited Florida stallions, and the $100,000 Hollywood Beach for 2-year-olds going five furlongs on turf.