Thanks God on the improve for Thursday feature

Thanks God was no match for the well-regarded Basha in a $75,000 optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 13, but he could be tough to handle in Thursday’s feature at the south Florida track. The $35,000 starter/optional-claiming race drew eight horses, with Thanks God the likely favorite in the six-furlong dash for 2-year-olds.

Trained by Antonio Sano, Thanks God is trending in the right direction, and the 64 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his third-place finish behind Basha is his career best. He seemed to get shuffled back early in the seven-furlong sprint but moved to the outside and started to advance approaching the turn. He made a strong move while going wide into the stretch but couldn’t get past the leader, Red Crescent, or Basha, who finished full of run and won going away after getting into all kinds of trouble. Nonetheless, it was a solid effort by Thanks God.

In his previous start, Thanks God was beaten a neck going six furlongs in a $35,000 starter/optional-claiming race at Gulfstream.

Edgard Zayas picks up the mount from Luca Panici, who sticks with Midway Playa. Zayas likely will try to put Thanks God into a striking position after he breaks from post 6.

Over Limit, trained by William Tharrenos, finished first in both of his races at Woodbine. He was much the best in his debut but had his number taken down for drifting in late.

KEY CONTENDERS

Thanks God, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 64-61-45

◗ The improving colt had a sharp half-mile move Oct. 22 and appears to be primed for another big effort.

◗ Sano is the leading trainer at the meet.

Over Limit, by Overdriven

Beyers: 60-46

◗ He beat pretty weak fields in both of his starts. Both came on Tapeta, but as a half-brother to Dance Caller, who earned most of his $328,234 sprinting on dirt, he could thrive with the surface switch.

Midway Playa, by American Lion

Beyer: 55

◗ Trained by Eric Guillot, he romped in the slop when he debuted in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race at Gulfstream Park West, and it is interesting that Panici sticks with him after riding Thanks God in his most recent race.

◗ It is possible he just relished the wet conditions in his debut, but he does have a right to improve with a race behind him.

Chatiment, by Divine Park

Last 3 Beyers: 52-66-56

◗ He was in the mix early before fading late in the same race that Thanks God exits, and he could move forward in his second start following a layoff for trainer Cecil Paul.