Richard the Great seeks third straight win in Groomstick

Richard the Great shoots for the hat trick in the $50,000 Groomstick Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Sunday. He should get it if he comes anywhere close to repeating his blowout score in the $75,000 Trinniberg Handicap there on Aug. 12.

The Trinniberg was restricted to horses who have never won an open stakes race. The six-furlong Groomstick has no restrictions, but the only open stakes winner among the seven horses entered is Sweetontheladies, who won the $48,000 Crystal River Handicap over a sloppy track June 4.

Richard the Great showed a lot of promise when he won his first two starts, both at Gulfstream, as a 2-year-old for trainer Ralph Nicks in 2014. However, he stalled when he ran in the $97,000 Buffalo Man at Gulfstream Park West, finishing sixth as the favorite. After finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Hutcheson in his first start as a sophomore, he went on the shelf for more than two years until he finished third in a $62,500 optional-claiming race for trainer Stanley Gold on April 23.

His first win for Gold came in a $62,500 optional-claiming race going six furlongs July 22, and he followed up with his 7 1/2-length romp in the Trinniberg. He came from a stalking position July 22, but set honest fractions and kept rolling in the seven-furlong Trinniberg.

:: LABOR DAY SALE: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, and more!

In both of Richard the Great’s recent victories he was ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, who will again be aboard Sunday when he breaks from post 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

Richard the Great, by Distorted Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 100-84-79

◗ A half-brother to Bernie the Maestro, a multiple stakes winner with $694,317 in earnings, Richard the Great is on top of his game right now, and will be hard to deal with if he retains his current form.

◗ The 100 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his blowout win in the Trinniberg stands out in this field, and his versatility gives Jaramillo options.

Sweetontheladies, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 81-74-92

◗ He won’t mind being back on dirt following a fourth-place finish going five furlongs on turf in the $50,000 Jupiter Beach Handicap on Aug. 18.

◗ The Henry Collazo-trained 3-year-old colt isn’t the most consistent horse around, but he is capable of firing big shots like he did in winning the Crystal River with a 92 Beyer. He also has a right to move forward in his second start following a layoff.

Splash Rules, by Pomeroy
Last 3 Beyers: 86-81-82

◗ Trained by John Vision, he had been off for close to two months when he won a $16,000 optional-claiming race Aug. 18.

◗ Leading rider Tyler Gaffalione keeps the faith, and Vision is having a big meet with 40 percent of his starters winning.

◗ He gets tested for class here, but he should get a nice trip from a forward position and could take a big step forward in his second start back.