Tiger Blood eyes third consecutive stakes victory in Jeblar

The shape of the $75,000 Jeblar on Sunday at Gulfstream Park is a tough read. Tiger Blood could find himself on a lonely lead while stretching out to seven-eighths, or he could have company from a fresh Royal Squeeze.

Zulu has natural speed, too, but is turning back from 1 1/8 miles and could track the leaders. That’s if he goes: He was cross-entered in the Grade 3 Miami Mile on Saturday at Gulfstream, but for the main track only.

Mylute, meanwhile, cut back to this distance for his last start and could be even sharper in his second straight sprint.

The Jeblar is an overnight stakes for 3-year-olds and up and drew six older horses. Others making up the field include Hy Riverside, who like Zulu exits the Grade 3 Skip Away at Gulfstream, and allowance winner Hy Kodiak Warrior. The Jeblar goes as the ninth on a 10-race program that starts at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

Jeblar (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Tiger Blood, by Cowtown Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-84

◗ He enters on top of his game, having won stakes in his last two starts. The races both came over six furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs. Tiger Blood was with the pace when winning the $96,000 Pelican on Feb. 18, then stalked and rolled in the $100,000 Florida Cup Sprint on April 2. The latter race went in a quick 1:08.80.

◗ Tiger Blood has broken on top in two of his last three starts, and with a good start, he could steal away in the Jeblar. He is a winner at the seven-furlong trip, having captured an optional $75,000 claiming race on the front end in March 2016.

◗ Pablo Morales has the mount for MK Stables and trainer Darien Rodriguez.

Mylute, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-82

◗ Mylute would become a millionaire with a win. He enters with earnings of $957,242.

◗ Mylute was fourth in an optional $62,500 claiming sprint in his last start April 1 at Gulfstream, a race that Clearly Now won in a track-record time of 1:20.17. Mylute was moving from turf to dirt for the start and cutting back from 1 1/16 miles. He closed from last and could be closer to the pace in consecutive sprint starts.

◗ Luca Panici has the mount for trainer Ralph Nicks.

Zulu, by Bernardini
Last 3 Beyers: 87-87-97

◗ He was prominent throughout last time when second in the Skip Away on March 25 and earlier in his career was a seven-furlong stakes winner at Gulfstream.

◗ Zulu is a horse for the course, boasting a 3-for-6 record on the main track at Gulfstream. Of those wins, two have come at this distance.

◗ Edgard Zayas has the mount for trainer Todd Pletcher.