Sound Defence a speed threat in Tuesday turf sprint

Rain or shine, Sound Defence looks like the one to beat in a first-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option Tuesday at Gulfstream Park West. The five-furlong dash on turf for fillies and mares drew eight horses and goes as race 5 on an eight-race card that begins at 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

Sound Defence is coming off a 4 1/2-length romp in the slop at the same level and distance in a race washed off the turf Sept. 29 at Gulfstream Park. The Mark Casse-trained 4-year-old also has four wins on turf.

Two starts back, she finished third in a key race on the Gulfstream Park turf course Sept. 1. The winner, Tillie’s Lily, earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure, and she remained undefeated when she won a second-level allowance conditions on the downhill turf course Oct. 20 at Santa Anita. Imnaha, who finished second, returned to win a first-level allowance race Oct. 26 at Gulfstream Park West.

Sound Defence drew post 5 with Luca Panici riding again Tuesday. She has good speed and will likely be in the mix right from the start.

There is plenty of potential speed in the field, and the race could set up for a stalker such as Island Reward, who is coming off a win in a $35,000 claimer for nonwinners of three Sept. 15 at Belmont Park. The Jason Servis trainee has never won a race shorter than seven furlongs, so she might want a bit more distance.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sound Defence, by First Defence

Last 3 Beyers: 66-78-76

◗ The speed of the speed, she could be hard to run down if she breaks on top and takes a shine to a course she has never raced over.

Island Reward, by Street Boss

Last 3 Beyers: 76-82-81

◗ She hasn’t raced for two months, but has won twice off a layoff.

◗ Over the past five years, trainer Jason Servis has a 24 percent strike rate with horses running in turf sprints that were coming back in 31 to 60 days.

Crazy About Jazz, by Big Brown

Last 3 Beyers: 74-73-52

◗ Trained by Christophe Clement, the lightly raced 4-year-old is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes in $40,000 claiming races for nonwinners of two.

◗ Her jockey, Edgard Zayas, had a big day Saturday, winning four races including three stakes.

Little Nicole, by Trappe Shot

Last 3 Beyers: 72-60-58

◗ She was coming off a lengthy layoff and making her first start over this surface when she easily won a maiden special weight race for trainer Carlo Vaccarezza on Oct. 15.

◗ A 3-year-old filly with just four starts, she has had two sharp interim works and could be sitting on another big effort.