Stefochop returns off key race
The victory by Dubai Sky in Saturday’s Grade 3 Spiral Stakes certainly gives trainers Dale Romans and Rick Violette reason to be encouraged about their chances in Wednesday’s $48,000, first-level allowance turf feature at Gulfstream Park.
Both Stefochop, trained by Romans, and Made in Detroit, conditioned by Violette, fell victim to Dubai Sky at some point in their careers. Stefochop was beaten four lengths by Dubai Sky in the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes on Jan. 24, his first start in 110 days and his first in the United States. Made in Detroit was beaten six lengths by Dubai Sky in a maiden race last fall at Belmont Park. Made in Detroit will be making his first start since winning a maiden race by a neck over this course Jan. 17.
Wednesday’s allowance, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles, goes as the ninth of 10 races on a card that begins at 1 p.m. Eastern. There is a carryover of $111,205 in Gulfstream’s Rainbow 6, which begins in race 5 (3 p.m.).
KEY CONTENDERS
Stefochop (Last Beyer: 69)
Posted a maiden victory from four starts in France before being transferred to Romans late last year by Team Valor International.
In his U.S. debut, the Kitten’s Joy Stakes, he was a bit headstrong early and had to be steadied by Luis Saez down the backstretch. He raced in decent position thereafter but just ran evenly in the stretch. Still, he was beaten only four lengths.
In addition to Dubai Sky, others from the Kitten’s Joy have come back to run well. Eh Cumpari and Felifran, fifth and fourth in the Kitten’s Joy, ran 1-2, a neck apart, in the Palm Beach Stakes here two weeks ago.
Could work out a good off-the-pace trip from the inside post in a race that seemingly has plenty of horses who like to be forwardly placed.
Made in Detroit (Last 3 Beyers: 73-65-63)
One of four runners from a Dec. 6 maiden race – in which he finished fifth – to win their next start.
That win came from post 13 in a 14-horse field going 1 1/8 miles in which he dueled on the lead and won a three-way photo over Cat Humor and Animal Kracker.
“Last race, tough post, we decided to make all the pace, and it worked out,” Violette said. “I don’t necessarily think he has to be on the lead, but he’s not a one-run horse. He’s a little bit one-paced.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Made in Detroit. Trainer Rick Violette is 15-0-0-2 over the past five years in turf races following a maiden victory. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Buy Formulator PPs
:: Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
U S Marshal (Last 3 Beyers: 56-82-68)
Will try to bounce back off a seventh-place finish at odds of 5-2, a race in which he was bumped early and chased the pace while four wide.
Owns the top Beyer Speed Figure in the field when he finished second at this condition Jan. 14, although he was disqualified to fourth for interference in the stretch.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 All I Karabout. Trainer Graham Motion is 8-0-0-0 over the past five years with Edgard Zayas aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan