Rashette has good chance at elusive second victory

Rashette should get the win if she retains her recent form in a $12,500 optional-claiming race for Florida-bred fillies and mares that headlines Thursday’s 10-race card at Gulfstream Park.

The six-furlong dash with first-level allowance conditions drew seven horses. Rashette is looking for her second win and is not eligible to be claimed.

Trained by Kathleen O’Connell, Rashette is coming off three solid performances, including a third-place finish in the $75,000 Game Face behind My Miss Tapit and Actress on April 22. Actress won the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan in her next start at Pimlico, and My Miss Tapit returned to finish fourth in the Grade 2 Mother Goose at Belmont.

:: Saratoga Clocker Report: Get in-depth workout analysis for the 2017 summer meet

Prior to the Game Face, Rashette was the runner-up in a $50,000 starter optional-claiming race for 3-year-old fillies April 5. O’Connell gave her a two-month break to recover from her big effort in the seven-furlong Game Face, and Rashette was again the runner-up in a $50,000 starter optional claimer June 22.

Breaking from post 2 in that most recent race, she opened up a clear lead at the half-mile call but couldn’t hold off Rich Mommy, who sat just off her before taking control in midstretch.

Rashette will break from post 5 with Eduardo Nunez aboard. She doesn’t necessarily need the lead, and with other speed drawn inside, she could get a nice trip from a stalking position.

:: First time ever! Get Del Mar Clocker Reports for the 2017 summer meet

KEY CONTENDERS

Rashette, by Cowtown Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 72-77-78

◗ She ran a big race coming off a two-month layoff and could take a big step forward in her second start back. If she does, she should finally get her first win since she took them all the way in her debut in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race in May 2016.

Telesa, by With Distinction
Last 3 Beyers: 58-50-36

◗ A 12-time winner, she finished third on a sloppy track in a similar race April 23 and was claimed by trainer Ralph Ziadie.

◗ Considering that over the past five years, Ziadie has a 31 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her come back with an improved performance.

Charlie’s Secret, by Adios Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 65-48-64

◗ Trained by Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, the lightly raced 4-year-old is 2 for 2 on fast dirt tracks. In her last start, jockey Luca Panici wrapped up on her in the final sixteenth as she beat next-out winner Kirembe by 7 1/2 lengths in a $12,500 conditional claimer June 15.

Worth Avenue, by First Dude
Last 3 Beyers: 64-60-60

◗ The Aubrey Maragh-trained 3-year-old has the right kind of running style for the race and will try to make amends after losing by a head as the 1-2 favorite in a similar race June 10.