Top trainers clash in Thursday allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Only one allowance is on tap Thursday at Gulfstream Park, but fans ought to get their money’s worth, so to speak. It’s a $50,000, third-level race scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the turf, and the 11 older horses being brought together are about as well matched as you’ll find.

American Patriot and Italian Charm are among four newly turned 4-year-olds making a foray into the ranks of more-experienced turf horses, helping to make for some interesting handicapping. Both will be making their first starts since the fall, and both rate as good a chance as any.

As often happens, many of the top stables here for the winter are represented in a single race, with Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown, Christophe Clement, and Mark Casse among the trainers having starters.

Casse said he believes Conquest Typhoon figures squarely in the mix, particularly after the 5-year-old was recently gelded.

“I thought his last breeze was one of his better ones,” Casse said. “I’ve felt that maybe 99 percent of horses are better off after you geld them. He’s always been a bit of an underachiever, so maybe he’ll have a little more focus now.”

The feature goes as the ninth of 11 races on a card that starts at 12:35 p.m. Eastern. It’s part of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (races 6-11), which had its jackpot depleted Sunday when a solo winning ticket returned $210,518.

KEY CONTENDERS

American Patriot, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 90-89-91

◗ The winner of the Grade 3 Kent Stakes last summer at Delaware Park, this WinStar Farm homebred has been regrouped by Pletcher since his form went a tad south after he kept knocking heads with high-class opposition.

Italian Charm, by Gio Ponti
Last 3 Beyers: 87-91-78

◗ Based at Payson Park with Clement, this Green Hills Farm homebred went through his conditions last year in quick order and shows six sharp works in preparation for his return.

Conquest Typhoon, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 89-79-96

◗ Fast approaching the one-year anniversary of his most recent win, this Ontario-bred was a good second in a similar turf race here Jan. 20 and was gelded shortly thereafter.

Tale of Fancy, by Tale of Ekati
Last 3 Beyers: 85-95-94

◗ This speedy Charles Fipke homebred figures to cast a major presence from the opening bell, especially when making his first start in three months for veteran conditioner Barclay Tagg.

Saham, by Lemon Drop Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 88-93-86

◗ Wouldn’t be a stretch to say this Brown-trained 5-year-old needed his last race, his first in nearly 14 months, when having a spot of trouble once the real running began.