Sweet Parang stretches out in allowance race
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Ralph Nicks is enjoying life these days. Fit, tanned, and happily married, Nicks is sending out winners on a regular basis while his youthful looks continue to belie the calendar. He turned 50 on Jan. 22.
“I’ve got no complaints,” Nicks said.
After ending 2016 with a career-high 72 winners, Nicks is gearing up for an even better 2017. He oversees a well-stocked stable that’s now based year-round at Gulfstream Park, where on Thursday he’ll have starters in five races, including Sweet Parang as a major contender in the lone allowance on an 11-race card.
Sweet Parang is one of eight fillies and mares in the ninth race, a $48,000, first-level allowance at a mile on the main track. The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly comes off a runner-up finish in a six-furlong race that marked her first start in three months. Tyler Gaffalione has a return call Thursday.
“The filly finished full of run in that last one, so hopefully she’ll appreciate the added distance,” said Nicks, the longtime Bill Mott assistant who went out on his own in 2004.
The nominal feature is part of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 sequence, which runs from races 6-11. The rollover jackpot stood at $339,874 when racing resumed here Wednesday following a two-day break.
First post for a program that also includes two starter allowances (races 1 and 10) is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.
KEY CONTENDERS
Sweet Parang, by First Defence
Last 3 Beyers: 69-58-68
◗ Her latest start Dec. 21 was eye-catching, as she overcame a troubled start to finish strongly at 16-1 behind Battle Tux in an effort that suggests she’ll relish the mile.
Amaluna, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 68-73-71
◗ She’s the grizzled veteran of this group, having finished in the money in 21 of 43 career starts while competing primarily in claiming and starter races.
Put Da Blame On Me, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 66-42-72
◗ Her last two starts in September were pretty ugly, but this filly has been regrouped in the interim by Mike Tomlinson and attracts leading jockey Luis Saez.
Sugar Cone, by Street Sense
Last 3 Beyers: 63-53-65
◗ This G. Watts Humphrey homebred was scratched out of the far more difficult Hurricane Bertie last weekend to wait on this spot.
