Siding Spring looks ready off the layoff

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Siding Spring was so well regarded last spring that he was favored over Stradivari in a main-track allowance at Keeneland. It was a mismatch, with Siding Spring finishing a distant fourth in a race that led trainer Mark Casse to reconsider his options.

Switched back to turf for his next two starts, Siding Spring fared respectably in back-to-back allowances at Belmont Park before going to the shelf following his most recent outing July 1.

“We just wanted to give him a little break and let him grow up a little more,” said Norman Casse, who is overseeing the Palm Meadows string this winter for his father.

Siding Spring has put in five workouts since mid-December and has resurfaced in the Sunday feature at Gulfstream Park, a $48,000, first-level allowance at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf.

“He’s been training exceptionally well,” said Norman Casse.

Siding Spring, with Julien Leparoux to ride, looks like the horse to beat in an oversubscribed field entered in the ninth of 11 Sunday races. If he’s not quite ready following the break of more than six months, victory could go to any number of his 11 opponents, including Puissant, Rapscallion, Kelly Tough, or even another Casse entrant, Grand Sky.

First post Sunday is noon Eastern. A second $48,000 turf allowance, for 3-year-olds at five furlongs, directly follows as the 10th race. Insum Money and Got It are the likely favorites in a field of eight.

After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for two days before another five-day week starts Wednesday.

KEY CONTENDERS (race 9)

Siding Spring, by Warrior’s Reward

Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-76

◗ After being drubbed by Stradivari – who went on to finish fourth in the Preakness and fifth in the Belmont Stakes prior to suffering an injury that ultimately led to him being euthanized – both of his Belmont efforts were solid, further validating his 2-year-old turf form, which included a debut romp and a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Bourbon.

Puissant, by Galileo

◗ After some decent overseas performances for trainer Marco Botti, this 5-year-old gelding now makes his stateside debut for Chad Brown while getting Javier Castellano, first-time Lasix, and the inside post position.

Rapscallion, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 67-90-87

◗ One of four horses in here eligible by way of a $25,000 claiming option, this 7-year-old gelding has earned some of the top Beyer Speed Figures in the field while establishing himself as an effective late-running turf sprinter.

Kelly Tough, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 86-81-69

◗ Turf is the obvious question for a 4-year-old who has come close to knocking out this condition while competing exclusively on dirt for Eddie Plesa Jr.