With Rhythm should move forward off layoff
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – With Rhythm looked like a winner turning into the stretch only to flatten out unexpectedly through the final furlong and finish a disappointing fourth as the 2-1 choice when making his U.S. debut last spring at Gulfstream. With Rhythm hasn’t run since but will return to action as the likely favorite once again under similar optional-claiming and allowance conditions in Thursday’s $43,000 main event, to be decided, weather permitting, at a mile on the turf.
With Rhythm launched his career in France, where he captured 2 of 3 starts as a 3-year-old with trainer Andre Fabre. He came to America and joined trainer Christophe Clement’s barn last winter but will have only the one race in 19 months under his belt when he runs Thursday.
“He was pretty rank in his start here last [spring], moved very early, and did not finish the race [well],” said Clement. “I was a little surprised he made a huge move like that and then flattened out, and he came out of the race not training well, so we gave him a lot of time off. He’s been training very well now. He won’t need the race and should move forward off that last start. He’s not got any black type, but he’s a useful horse.”
With Rhythm will face a solid group for this level that includes the Mike Maker-trained duo of One Step Salsa and Proud Azteca, the stakes winner Cabo Cat, the well-traveled Dreams Cut Short, the Grade 1-experienced Oil Strike, and the speedy Smooth Stone.
KEY CONTENDERS
With Rhythm (Beyer: 86)
◗ He’s been gelded since his local debut eight months ago. “I think it makes my job easier because it makes them a lot easier to train after being gelded,” said Clement.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 With Rhythm. Trainer Christophe Clement is 29-3-5-4 with a $0.97 ROI over the past five years in turf routes at Gulfstream Park following a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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One Step Salsa (Last 3 Beyers: 89-80-88)
◗ He became stakes-placed when beaten a head by the more experienced Old Time Hockey in the Sunshine Millions Turf Preview at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 7.
◗ He lures the meet’s top jockey, Javier Castellano, for the first time on Thursday.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 One Step Salsa. Trainer Mike Maker is 49-7-10-5 with a $0.70 ROI over the past year in turf routes with Javier Castellano aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Proud Azteca (Last 3 Beyers: 80-52-72)
◗ The weaker of the Maker pair, he has been away since winning a straight second-level allowance race over the Churchill Downs turf nearly 14 months ago.
Cabo Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 51-87-87)
◗ He wanted no part of the sloppy main track in his New York finale while suffering his 10th straight setback since winning the Manila Stakes at Belmont Park during the summer of 2014.
◗ He’ll have to overcome the tough No. 14 post.
Dreams Cut Short (Last 3 Beyers: NA-91-88)
◗ Toss out his last effort, when clipping heels and being eased over a sloppy main track in the Claiming Crown Emerald Stakes, and he fits with this group off a series of very consistent and improving Beyer Speed Figures that includes a career-best 91 earned for his 1 1/2-length victory over softer but similarly conditioned opposition at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 16.
Oil Strike (Last 3 Beyers: 74-91-88)
◗ Another in this lineup who figures to improve while moving back to turf, he finished fifth while not badly beaten in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer going 1 1/2 miles at Woodbine on Sept. 13.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Oil Strike. Trainer Mark Casse is 20-5-1-3 with a $3.42 ROI over the past five years going dirt to turf in routes at Gulfstream Park. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Smooth Stone (Last 3 Beyers: 85-84-89)
◗ He’s always been at his best when on or with the lead, and he figures to be joined at the front by Platinum Prince, who stretches out to a mile off a series of turf sprints.