Tight Precision at crossroad

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Tom Proctor enjoyed the best year of his career in 2009, when his stable earned nearly $2.5 million. The 53-year-old trainer endured some fairly lean years after he won the 1994 Breeders' Cup Distaff with One Dreamer, but a broader client roster has helped reinvigorate him and has given him renewed success in recent seasons.

Proctor has split his stable this winter between Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, and he was scheduled to travel from the former to the latter in time to saddle 5-year-old Tight Precision for the richest race on the Wednesday card at Gulfstream. Tight Precision, graded stakes placed at 3, was off nearly a year before returning with two races this fall in Kentucky, the latest being an eye-catching triumph in a second-level turf allowance Nov. 11 at Churchill Downs.

"The mare can run, and everything's fine with her now," Proctor said. "We're in good shape. She's nominated for the Sunshine Millions, but obviously we'll have to see how she does in this one. Off that last race, though, I'm pretty optimistic."

Tight Precision, owned by E.J. Sukley and to be ridden by Jesus Castanon, is part of an overflow field in the eighth of nine Wednesday races. Fourteen fillies and mares are on the program for the third-level allowance, although only as many as 12 can start. The $53,000 race goes at a mile on the turf.

Tight Precision has 3 wins and 3 seconds from 12 career starts, with a runner-up finish in the 2008 Valley View at Keeneland and her latest victory ranking among her best efforts. She's the consistent type who figures right in the mix again Wednesday.

Her opposition, however, runs deep, and it wouldn't be all that surprising to see something like Diamond Dina, Chary, or Gdansking Queen pull the mild upset.

Diamond Dina has shown dangerous speed since being claimed by trainer Rick Dutrow. Chary, trained by Pete Anderson, was good enough to capture the Calder Oaks in her most recent start. And Gdansking Queen shoots for a fourth straight win when she returns from a layoff of nearly 11 months for Christophe Clement, who is adept at such maneuvers.

Two entry-level allowances, both worth $48,000, directly precede the feature. First post is 1:15 p.m. Eastern.