Repeat effort puts Eila in winner's circle
Trainer Ralph Nicks is expecting another strong effort from Eila when she runs in a $50,000 optional-claiming race with starter conditions Sunday at Gulfstream Park. If he’s right, Eila should make short work of her rivals in the five-furlong sprint on turf for 3-year-old fillies, which drew seven horses.
“She’s training great, has put on weight, and I would be surprised if she didn’t run well,” Nicks said.
Eila ran extremely well when she romped by 10 1/2 lengths for trainer Jamie Ness in a $25,000 claiming race in her first try on turf Feb. 17 at Gulfstream. Nicks claimed her out of the race on behalf of A&K Equine LLC, which had lost her for $12,500 in her previous start.
“They asked me to take her back because she has turf breeding and they wanted to try her on grass,” Nicks said. “I didn’t have her before, so I don’t know how she trained, but she’s done everything pretty easily.”
Eila was trained by Roderick Rodriguez when she won the $12,500 maiden-claiming race Ness haltered her from. In her only other start, she forced the pace before fading in a maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park West last November.
She will break from post 4 with Tyler Gaffalione riding.
Didnotmeanit also is coming off a sharp win. Trained by Larry Pilotti, Didnotmeanit pressed the pace early before easily winning a $35,000 claiming race on the main track by 6 1/4 lengths March 11.
She has a right to move forward in her second start this year, but will be trying turf for the first time.
KEY CONTENDERS
Eila, by Benny the Bull
Last 3 Beyers: 83-46-10
◗ Out of a turf-winning mare, Eila improved dramatically in her first try on the turf. The 83 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for that race stands out, and a similar effort makes her an easy winner again.
Didnotmeanit, by Saint Anddan
Last 3 Beyers: 66-34-59
◗ She ran off and hid in her sophomore debut last month.
◗ Considering her lack of turf breeding, her chances will greatly improve if the race gets moved to the main track.
Exchanging Secrets, by Exchange Rate
Last 3 Beyers: 66-57-64
◗ Trained by Edward Plesa, she looked good winning at this level on the main track March 17.
◗ She didn’t run well in her only turf attempt, but she was stretching out to a middle distance for the first time and she was facing tougher competition. Exchange Rate is a decent turf sire, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see her run well on grass, especially cutting back to a sprint.