Sprint feature boils down to El Deal, Springmeier

El Deal and Springmeier tower above the four other horses they will face in a second-level optional $62,500 claiming race at Gulfstream Park West on Friday. The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up goes as the second race on a 10-race card that begins earlier than usual at 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

El Deal could have a slight edge. Trained by Francisco D’Angelo, he can be a tough horse to get past when he makes the lead early, and if he does break alertly from the inside post, he should be the one they have to run down.

In his most recent race and his first start for D’Angelo, El Deal was the runner-up in the $75,000 Groomstick Stakes at Gulfstream on Aug. 27. He was game in defeat in the seven-furlong sprint. After dueling with Mr. Baker early, El Deal held on well but couldn’t hold off Yourdreamsormine, who came from a stalking position. Mr. Baker earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure when he won an optional $62,500 claiming race at Gulfstream Park West in his next start Oct. 12.

A five-time winner with $205,250 in earnings from nine starts, El Deal has only lost once in five races that weren’t stakes. The loss came in his first start as a 4-year-old in an allowance race at Parx Racing on March 21, when he was the runner-up to the millionaire Stallwalkin’ Dude, who won last weekend’s Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park.

Edgard Zayas rides El Deal.

Springmeier is coming off two solid races for trainer John Vinson.

Racing over a sloppy track in an optional $62,500 claiming race at Gulfstream, Springmeier came from a stalking position to win the 5 1/2-furlong dash Sept. 8. In his latest outing, he couldn’t catch Mr. Baker on Oct. 12.

Springmeier has tactical speed, and Luca Panici will need to use it to stay in touch with El Deal after he breaks from post No. 3.

Race 2

KEY CONTENDERS

El Deal, by Munnings

Last 3 Beyers: 91-83-95

◗ He can fire fresh, and with a nice set of works showing, it appears that D’Angelo has him primed for another big effort.

FORMULATOR FACT: The one concern is that none of the last 12 horses D’Angelo has brought back from a layoff of 61 to 180 days won.

Springmeier, by Graeme Hall

Last 3 Beyers: 93-82-69

◗ He is reunited with Panici, who was aboard for his win two back, and he should get first crack at El Deal.

Dreaming of Gold, by Unbridled’s Song

Last 3 Beyers: 83-83-88

◗ Trained by D’Angelo, he wants turf and more distance, but next to El Deal and Springmeier, he has the best Beyer on dirt. He is also a sharp horse, coming into this off a win in a one-mile, first-level allowance race on turf at Gulfstream Park West on Sept. 24.