Super Sermon the one to beat in allowance

Super Sermon should be a solid favorite when he makes his 3-year-old debut in a first-level allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option at Gulfstream Park on Friday. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he showed potential in three starts as a 2-year-old and if he’s progressed since finishing second in the Grade 2 Nashua at Aqueduct on Nov. 5, he’ll be tough to handle in Friday’s seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.

Pletcher will also be represented by Malibu Strings, who despite racing greenly won his debut at Gulfstream April 7.

The main challenge to the uncoupled Pletcher entry is Take Your Place who is coming off a 5 3/4-length romp in a $35,000 starter-optional claiming race for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. on April 5. He was ridden that day by Tyler Gaffalione, who on Friday will be aboard Super Sermon when he breaks from post 4 in the nine-horse field.

Super Sermon began his career with a third-place finish going six furlongs in a maiden special weight race at Saratoga on Aug. 19. Showing he wanted more distance, he came back to win a one-mile maiden event at Belmont on Sept. 17 and then closed out his year going the same distance in the Nashua, won by Avery Island. Avery Island earned 83 and 87 Beyer Speed Figures in his next two starts, which included a runner-up finish behind Catholic Boy in the Grade 2 Remsen and a win in the Grade 3 Withers.

Super Sermon has been training forwardly at Palm Beach Downs and, as everyone knows, Pletcher can have them ready to roll coming off a lengthy layoff. To be exact, the past five years at Gulfstream he has a 39 percent strike rate with horses coming back from a break of 180 days or more.

KEY CONTENDERS

Super Sermon, by Super Saver
Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-70

◗ He appears to be primed for a big race coming off the bench, and the way he ran in his three races last year suggests seven furlongs could be a perfect distance for him.

Take Your Place, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 74-78-70

◗ After not being much of a factor in two starts on Tapeta and one on turf at Woodbine, he has thrived at Gulfstream, with two wins and two seconds in four starts on the main track.

◗ He has good speed and showed he can stalk in his easy victory in his last start.

◗ He will break from post 7 with Nik Juarez riding.

Malibu Strings, by Malibu Moon
Beyer: 72

◗ He could take a big step forward following an auspicious debut going six furlongs. With Emisael Jaramillo aboard he didn’t get off to the best start, but finished full of run to get up in time to catch Nobodyknowsnothin, who led for all but the last jump. The Wertheimer brothers homebred didn’t help his cause when he drifted in midstretch and was forced to steady.

◗ He will break from the inside post with Jaramillo retaining the mount.