Shakakan returns to turf for sprint feature

Friday’s $34,000 feature at Gulfstream Park West, a first-level optional $25,000 claimer at five furlongs on turf, looks wide open.

Shakakan, who returns to grass for the first time since winning her career debut 15 months ago, will be among the favorites along with the consistent mare I Will Be Free, the improved Belladini, and Starship Jubilee.

Shakakan, one of three 3-year-olds in the lineup, along with Starship Jubilee and outsider Grayciez Spirit, is winless in four main-track outings since launching her career with a wire-to-wire victory over the Gulfstream Park turf in July 2015. She’s one of several speed types in the field and figures to receive early pressure from Dagney’s Revenge and Belladini, who exits a career-best performance when defeating $10,000 claiming rivals by 5 1/4 lengths.

Starship Jubilee figures to benefit from an early speed duel while exiting a come-from-behind neck decision over midlevel conditioned claiming foes at Gulfstream three weeks ago. I Will Be Free should also be running on late while continuing to hold her form well, having finished first or second in her last four starts.