Righteous Ruth meets older rivals in turf mile

The highly regarded Righteous Ruth will get a real test when she tackles a solid group of fillies and mares in a $25,000 optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Thursday. The one-mile turf race drew eight horses and goes as race 5 on an 11-race card that begins at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

Righteous Ruth is the only 3-year-old in the field and will be making just her third start. Trained by Jonathan Thomas, she showed a lot of potential in her debut, rallying to finish second going 7 1/2 furlongs on June 11. In her next start, July 9 with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, she was an impressive winner of a one-mile maiden special weight race.

Being out of Rutherienne, a Grade 1 winner with $1.29 million in earnings, Righteous Ruth has a right to be a decent horse.

“She has a tremendous pedigree,” said Thomas. “She’s kind of a late-maturing filly, and we have had a methodical approach in seeing what kind of horse she is. This race came up a little tougher than I was hoping for, but with all the different conditions they have now, it’s hard to find a straight non-winners of two.”

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Thomas is having a strong meet, with four wins from nine starters.

“We’ve been fortunate,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of good rides, and we had the right kind of horses for the conditions.”

Righteous Ruth will break from the rail under Gaffalione.

KEY CONTENDERS

Righteous Ruth, by Tiznow
Beyers: 72-76

◗ A $550,000 purchase at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale, she showed a quick turn of foot and was never shown the whip when she was a handy winner of her second start.

Cajun Queen, by Closing Argument
Last 3 Beyers: 80-56-84

◗ She has tactical speed and should get a good trip after breaking from post 3 with Miguel Vasquez aboard.

◗ The Herman Wilensky trainee has won three of her last four starts on grass and can be forgiven for finishing second as the favorite in a race washed off the turf two back on July 13.

Pat M’s Image, by Leroidesanimaux
Last 3 Beyers: 79-79-75

◗ Trained by Luis Ramirez, she’s been part of the trifecta in 11 of her 14 starts on this course and finished full of run while going wide when she was the runner-up in a similar race Aug. 6.

◗ A deep closer, she should have an honest pace to work with if they all go.

Majestic Maiara, by Majestic Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-79

◗ She was the runner-up at this level June 25. After about seven weeks off, she finished fifth after forcing the pace in the $50,000 Panama City on Aug. 13.

◗ She could be dangerous from a stalking position for trainer Marcial Navarro.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Navarro has a 20 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.