Sistine Sista should be there or thereabouts again

Sistine Sista is clearly the one to beat in a $25,000 conditional-claiming race for fillies and mares Thursday at Gulfstream Park. However, she has lost as the chalk in her last three races, and it would be hard to single her with confidence in the Rainbow 6, which begins in the fifth race with a $350,510 carryover.

The 7 1/2-furlong race drew 12 horses for the grass. Don’t Talk Back will run only if the race gets moved to the main track.

Trained by Angel Rodriguez, Sistine Sista won’t mind the slight cutback in distance after losing by a nose to Kenitra going a mile in a $30,000 conditional claimer June 24. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Sistine Sista won an early pace duel and then was hooked by Kenitra at the eighth pole.

The 4-year-old Sistine Sista was unlucky to lose her previous start, finishing third in a $30,000 conditional claimer going 1 1/16 miles. Squeezed back early, she appeared to be full of run but had to wait for racing room on the stretch turn.

Sistine Sista won a $35,000 maiden-claiming race going 7 1/2 furlongs on turf at Gulfstream on March 30 and three weeks later ran second in a race washed off the turf in her first try with winners. She will break from post 2, with Miguel Vasquez picking up the mount from Tyler Gaffalione, who opts to ride Gold Lace for trainer Mike Maker.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Sistine Sista, by Temple City

Last 3 Beyers: 72-66-59

◗ She took a bad step the only time she has finished worse than third since returning to Gulfstream in January. The only time she went this distance, she was an easy winner.

Ventina, by Parading

Last 3 Beyers: 69-72-62

◗ The three-time winner just missed in a $16,000 conditional claimer June 30 and was claimed by trainer Robert Dibona. He has a 21 percent strike rate over the last five years with newly claimed horses.

◗ She drew post 11, and with the first turn coming up quickly, jockey Carlos Montalvo will have to figure out how to avoid a wide trip.

R Way to Escape, by Tizway

Last 3 Beyers: 62-66-55

◗ Trained by Gerald Bennett, the 3-year-old was overmatched in a $75,000 optional-claiming race for fillies and mares on May 29, but her win in a one-mile, $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds at Tampa Bay Downs in her previous race points to her as a serious contender.

Queens Quarters, by General Quarters

Last 3 Beyers: 66-63-54

◗ She is going for the hat track after winning back-to-back $25,000 claiming races at Tampa Bay Downs on March 24 and May 7 but would look more attractive if she were coming back a little sooner.