Shaft of Light can provide quick return in first start off claim

It appears trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has Shaft of Light primed for a big effort at Gulfstream Park West on Sunday. If so, Shaft of Light will be tough to beat in the conditioned $35,000 claimer that will serve as the feature race. The 6 1/2-furlong dash drew six horses and goes as race 4 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

Joseph was taking a chance when acting on behalf of himself and John Fanelli he claimed Shaft of Light for $16,000 on Sept. 5. After all, the 8-year-old Ontario-bred was making his first start since he finished last for trainer Jorge Navarro in the Grade 2 Belmont Sprint Championship on July 7, 2018.

Shaft of Light went into the Belmont Sprint on a roll with three wins in his last five starts, and in his last start he had just missed in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile at Monmouth on May 26.

The long layoff going into his comeback race at Delaware had to be a concern, but he was right there at the eighth pole before finishing fourth as the 4-5 favorite.

Shaft of Light may have been trying to tell us something when he worked a bullet four furlongs in 46.80 seconds out of the gate at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 27.

Adding to his appeal are the strong numbers Joseph has with claimed horses, particularly ones coming back between 61-180 days: 39 percent strike rate with a $2.22 ROI over the past five years.

Shaft of Light will break from post 4 with Edgard Zayas up.

KEY CONTENDERS

Shaft of Light, by Smart Strike

Last 3 Beyers: 79-82-100

◗ An 11-time winner from 31 starts, he has been working like he’s ready to fire a big shot for his new connections.

◗ The speed of the speed, he could be gone if he breaks on top.

Fortunate Friends, by J P’s Gusto

Last 3 Beyers: 80-72-80

◗ The 3-year-old Florida-bred had a brutal trip when he finished fourth in a first-level allowance race at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 9. He was bumped and had to steady going down the backstretch and then went wide around the stretch turn. He finished full of run when he straightened out in the stretch, but did not quite get there, losing by three-quarters of a length in a cavalry charge.

◗ He could improve in his second start for trainer Aubrey Maragh, who had claimed him for $35,000 on behalf of Vince Campanella on Sept. 12.

Aequor, by Flatter

Last 3 Beyers: 54-82-61

◗ Trained by Oscar Gonzalez, he romped in a $25,000 conditioned claimer at Gulfstream in April the last time he ran for a price. It was the last time he won, but he has come close since, and will appreciate the class relief after finishing eighth in a first-level allowance race at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 2.

◗ He has speed, but can stalk, and could be dangerous if he can avoid getting into an all-out duel with Shaft of Light.