Shadow Rock on favorite course for Thursday feature
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – If “horse for course” really does mean something, then Shadow Rock could have a decisive edge when the ninth-race feature rolls around Thursday at Gulfstream Park.
Shadow Rock has won three times over the Gulfstream turf, which is more than all of his nine opponents combined.
“He’s always seemed to like it here,” said Scooter Dickey, the veteran trainer best known for his work with multiple graded stakes winner Flat Out a few years ago. “He was overmatched in his last race, but I imagine he’ll fit a lot better at this level. He’s got a big move on the tail end when we get him in the right spot.”
Shadow Rock will get some serious class relief when wheeling back 12 days after being outrun in a rugged renewal of the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint on the Feb. 6 Donn Handicap card. The 6-year-old gelding was a two-back winner for Dickey and owners Richard Bahde and Dennis Smith, marking his third victory in allowance-level company at Gulfstream in a little more than a year.
Edgar Prado, the Hall of Fame jockey who recently returned to the saddle from an eight-week layoff following an injury, has his lone call of the day on Shadow Rock. They’ll break from post 5 in a field of 10 older horses in a $46,000, five-furlong race governed by a variety of conditions, including a $62,500 claiming option.
First post for an 11-race Thursday card is 12:35 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 4:35. The Rainbow 6 sequence runs from races 6-11.
KEY CONTENDERS
Shadow Rock, by Distorted Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 77-88-79
◗ All three of his victories over the Gulfstream turf have come from well off the pace, and there seems to be a sufficient amount of speed signed on here, including More Applause, Blame Jim, Wild Woo Who, and Wild Mongolia.
Simon Bar Sinister, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 94-71-87
◗ He outran his odds in a big way Jan. 16 in the Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint when dead-heating for third at 37-1 and earning that big Beyer; he also has stretch chops that would get an assist from a hot tempo.
All Star Red, by Five Star Day
Last 3 Beyers: 80-78-75
◗ This 4-year-old draws the rail assignment when making his second start since being turned over to Michelle Nihei, whose stable came alive last week when sending out a couple of nice-looking winners.