Sound Machine gets class relief in allowance sprint

Sound Machine figures to be a short price when she runs in a second-level allowance race that carries a $62,500 claiming option on Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The six-furlong dash for fillies and mares drew seven horses and goes as race nine on a 10-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m Eastern.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Sound Machine is coming off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie, won by heavily favored Pacific Gale. With the 3 1/2-length victory, Pacific Gale boosted her earnings to $570,310. In her previous start, she won the Grade 2 Inside Information.

Sound Machine held the lead at the eighth pole in the 6 1/2-furlong Hurricane Bertie but was no match for Pacific Gale, who was bottled up most of the way but once clear won impressively.

Nonetheless, it was another solid effort by Sound Machine. With Tyler Gaffalione riding, she broke on top, settled into a stalking position, and after being inhaled by Pacific Gale held on well to finish 1 1/2 lengths clear of Saguaro Row. She will appreciate the easier company she is facing Sunday.

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A 4-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, Sound Machine has compiled a 2-4-2 record from 12 starts for earnings of $170,984. Last year, she won the $75,000 Glitter Woman at Gulfstream and finished third in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness at Pimlico.

Following her strong effort in the Hurricane Bertie, Sound Machine worked twice. Her bullet half-mile move in 47 seconds last Sunday tells us all we need to know about how she is coming into Sunday’s race.

Sound Machine will break from post 5 with Edgard Zayas aboard. Zayas rode her in the Miss Preakness and when she romped by 8 1/4 lengths in her debut at Gulfstream as a 2-year-old.

The main threat is the Carlos David-trained Sonar, who forced the pace before fading in the Hurricane Bertie.

In her previous races, Sonar came from a stalking position to win a second-level allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option on Feb. 28. Sound Machine finished third in that six-furlong sprint, but had an excuse as she got shuffled back to last approaching the half-mile pole.

A 4-year-old daughter of Brethren, Sonar will break from post 6 with Paco Lopez riding.

There is rain in the forecast, and a wet track would aid Lenzi’s Lucky Lady who romped in the slop in back-to-back stakes races as a juvenile.

Lenzi’s Lucky Lady’s last four starts for trainer Bob Hess have been on turf. With Lopez riding, she set the pace before settling for third going five furlongs at this level March 25.

Rajiv Maragh picks up the mount.