Russian Greek the one to beat in allowance
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – As a 3-year-old in 2012, Russian Greek was on the Kentucky Derby trail after winning the Gold Rush Stakes and California Derby at Golden Gate Fields for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
But after finishing far back in both the Spiral and Blue Grass stakes that spring, those dreams quickly came to an end, with Russian Greek falling into relative obscurity before ultimately joining the claiming ranks in south Florida two years later.
But Russian Greek has had a resurgence over the past 13 months, winning four of seven starts to emerge as the horse to beat in Wednesday’s $43,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.
Russian Greek is under the tutelage of Efren Loza Jr., who claimed the now-7-year-old in the interests of owners Dominick Auricchio and Rachel Jacobson out of a winning effort against $16,000 claiming foes here last April.
He was given the entire winter off by Loza following an uncharacteristically poor effort over the turf at Tampa Bay Downs in November, finally launching his 2016 campaign with a convincing 6 3/4-length victory under a $30,000 claiming tag here five weeks ago.
“I was looking for a good claiming horse for my owners last year, and I thought he had a nice pedigree and a lot of class,” said Loza. “He had a little injury coming out of his race at Tampa, so I gave him a layoff, and he really came back with a big race last month. I think one turn is better for him than two. He’s an old horse with problems who I can’t run too often but who tries hard all the time. He’s doing well, and I really like how he looks in this race.”
A field of only six will contest Wednesday’s main event, including the Grade 3-placed Enders Cat, the hard-knocking Chepstow, and Hy Kodiak Warrior.
Enders Cat finished third, 5 1/4 lengths behind Valid, as a 66-1 chance in the Grade 3 Skip Away on a sloppy track here in early April. But he’s failed to hit the board in three subsequent starts against just average optional-claiming and allowance competition.
Chepstow has not started since turning in a game neck victory over midlevel starter-allowance competition March 24. The win was the first in three starts this year for Chepstow, who has raced in five different barns over the past year and is now trained by Ralph Ziadie.
Hy Kodiak Warrior will wear blinkers for the first time since his seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby in March 2014. Like Chepstow, he has passed through many hands in a relatively short period, with current trainer Antonio Sano his fifth conditioner since the beginning of his 3-year-old campaign in 2014.
Key Contenders
Russian Greek, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 83-42-79
◗ He’s at his best either on or with the pace, and Loza said he’ll leave the strategy up to jockey Emisael Jaramillo. “I don’t think he has to be on the lead,” Loza said. “I’ll just leave that in the rider’s hands to decide.”
Chepstow, by Harlington
Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-78
◗ He’s not raced since March 24 but has not missed a beat in the morning, showing five half-mile works, including one bullet, at Gulfstream Park West over the past six weeks.