Successful Native seeks third straight win in Bonita

Successful Native might have to catch the rail-drawn Noble Prince, then hold off the late-running Anyriderill Do to win his third straight race Saturday in the $75,000 Bonita at Gulfstream Park. Also on the card, there is a Lasix-free maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs that drew a field of 12.

The Bonita is a five-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds and up, and it goes with a field of 10.

Successful Native has been on a tear since April, when he was claimed by Marco Thoroughbreds out of a $25,000 maiden race he won at Gulfstream. He proceeded to run second in a first-level allowance for his new barn, then won an optional $25,000 claiming race at Gulfstream in June and the $75,000 Turf Sprint there by a neck over Noble Prince in his most recent start July 5.

“I expect a good effort from him the way he’s training,” said Successful Native’s trainer, Aubrey Maragh.

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Bonita Stakes (race 5)

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KEY CONTENDERS

Successful Native (Last 3 Beyers: 92-90-80)

◗ He’s unbeaten since adding blinkers two races ago at Gulfstream.

“I watched his races, and he was lugging in,” Maragh said. “We put blinkers on, and he really improved.”

◗ Successful Native will break from post 9 under Juan Leyva after having won from the rail in the Turf Sprint.

◗ In Successful Native’s favor is his versatility, said Maragh.

“He can lead, he can stalk, he can do anything,” the trainer said.

Anyriderill Do (Last 3 Beyers: 76-88-88)

◗ He’s a stone-cold closer when it comes to turf sprints, and trainer Ronny Werner is looking for a forward move from the horse, who was fourth in the Turf Sprint at Gulfstream. The race was Anyriderill Do’s first since July 2014.

“He’s going to come from off of it – it’s just his style,” Werner said. “He’s got a big run down the lane. He’s a little sharper, a little tighter, and hopefully we can get to them.”

◗ In his race before the layoff, Anyriderill Do finished third in the $75,000 Arlington Sprint.

“He just needed time,” Werner said. “He wasn’t aggressive. He’s usually all forward, a good-feeling colt, and he was lethargic. Just needed things to settle down a little bit.”

◗ Tyler Gaffalione has the mount from post 6.