Sandiva stands out in Suwannee River Stakes

With four wins and two seconds from seven starts over the Gulfstream Park turf course, it’s no secret why Sandiva will be a solid favorite Saturday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Suwannee River Stakes.

“She really seems to have an affinity for Gulfstream’s turf course,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains the 6-year-old Sandiva for Al Shaqab Racing. “She always runs well here and seems to be a filly that peaks at this time of the year.”

Fresh off a victory as the 7-5 choice four weeks ago in the Grade 3 Marshua’s River, Sandiva will have Javier Castellano back aboard when breaking from post 6.

“She’s just in such good form at the moment and training so enthusiastically,” Pletcher said.

Nine other fillies and mares will oppose Sandiva in the 1 1/8-mile Suwannee River, which is being run for the 74th time at Gulfstream in south Florida. The top challengers appear to be Sea Coast (post 1, Tyler Gaffalione), Dickinson (post 8, Paco Lopez), and Elysea’s World (post 5, Joel Rosario).

Elysea’s World, trained by Chad Brown, is cross-entered Saturday in the Grade 3 Endeavour at Tampa Bay Downs. The Irish-bred filly was a dominant allowance winner at Gulfstream in her last start.

“We were very high on her the first half of the year last year, and then she tailed off, and I really couldn’t explain it,” said Brown, who won the 2016 Suwannee River with Tammy the Torpedo. “I just stopped on her for a little while and let her catch her breath. I think the time off did her good. She came back bigger and stronger and is working well again and ran well.”

Brown also has entered Goldy Espony, a gray French-bred whose most recent start more than 13 months ago resulted in a front-running victory in the 2015 La Prevoyante at Gulfstream at 1 1/2 miles.

The Suwannee River goes as race 9 (post, 4:03 p.m. Eastern), directly preceding the other two graded stakes on a 12-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sandiva, by Footstepsinthesand
Last 3 Beyers: 100-94-85

◗ The winner of the 2015 Suwannee River, this Irish-bred mare skipped the race last year in favor of finishing second in the Grade 2 Royal Delta in what remains her lone dirt attempt in 23 career starts.

Sea Coast, by Rock of Gibraltar
Last 3 Beyers: 100-99-78

◗ This Christophe Clement-trained mare chased all the pace before finishing second behind Sandiva in the Marshua’s River and figures to sit a good trip this time along the hedge.

Dickinson, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 98-99-93

◗ A decent fourth as the 3-1 second choice in the Marshua’s River, this handy Godolphin mare seeks her first stakes score while armed with Beyer Speed Figures that compare favorably with the other main contenders.

Elysea’s World, by Champs Elysees
Last 3 Beyers: 89-87-88

◗ She’s one of three 4-year-olds in here (with Sharp Kitty and Temple Fur) trying to make an immediate splash against older fillies and mares.