Soutache, King Humor return from long layoffs in Gulfstream feature

It will be interesting to see how Soutache and King Humor perform when they make 4-year-old debuts in a second-level allowance race Friday at Gulfstream Park. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up also has a $62,500 claiming option, but none of the six horses entered is in for the price.

It will be a good test for the two-time stakes winner Soutache and King Humor, who is undefeated in three starts and last ran in the $75,000 Ocala Flame in June 2018.

Field Trip looks like the main threat. The 98 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his runner-up effort in a $40,000 optional claimer on May 17 suggests he’s ready to get on a roll like he did last year when he reeled off three straight wins for trainer Henry Collazo.

Soutache, who has not raced since he finished fourth in a first-level allowance race on Aug. 25 at Saratoga, can fire fresh. Trained by Ralph Nicks, he won his 2-year-old debut and last year was the runner-up in the Grade 3 Hutcheson in his initial start as a sophomore. He wasn’t a serious threat in any of his races outside of Florida, which included a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Amsterdam at Saratoga won by Promised Fullfilled, who repeated in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. However, he has three wins from four starts at Gulfstream with his only loss being a third-place finish in his second start in the $100,000 Dr. Fager Stakes.

He will break from post 5 with leading rider Edgard Zayas aboard.

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King Humor looked like a horse with a bright future after he received a 98 Beyer for his front-running win in a maiden special weight race in his debut for trainer Victor Barboza Jr. He also took them all the way in the Ocala Flame.

He showed he was versatile when he sat just off the speed in a first-level allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option in his second start.

With the speedy Harryhee breaking from the rail, a patient ride will be needed from Emisael Jaramillo after King Humor breaks from the outside post.

KEY CONTENDERS

Soutache, by Backtalk

Last 3 Beyers: 77-79-84

◗ He has yet to run a poor race at Gulfstream, and with a solid set of works showing, it appears Nicks has him ready for a big effort coming off the bench.

King Humor, by Distorted Humor

Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-98

◗ After being ultra-impressive in his debut, he showed his romp was no fluke with two more sharp performances.

◗ He has been away for more than a year, and neither of the last two horses Barboza brought back from a layoff of 365 days or more won. However, they both ran well, finishing second and third, and they do not have the same credentials as King Humor.

Field Trip, by Field Commander

Last 3 Beyers: 98-70-68

◗ Turned in a big effort after taking a break for almost four months and is capable of stringing good races together as evidenced by his three straight wins last year.