Towser sticks with turf, finds softer spot
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Towser took a huge step forward when she moved to turf for her first start as a 4-year-old and will try to build on the strong performance when she runs in a first-level allowance/optional $25,000 claiming race that will serve as the feature Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The one-mile race on turf for fillies and mares goes as race 9 on a 10-race card that begins 12:40 p.m. Eastern.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Towser closed her sophomore campaign with two dull efforts on dirt, finishing last in a first-level allowance Oct. 7 at Keeneland and last again in a first-level allowance with a $25,000 claiming option at Gulfstream.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Into Mischief, Towser was a different horse when she came back to finish third behind Contemporary Art and Fuente Ovejun at this level going 1 1/16 miles on turf March 26. Contemporary Art paid $3.60 while coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational.
Joseph was pleased with Towser’s effort and likes the way she is coming into Sunday’s race.
“She ran poorly in her last two starts on dirt, so we started working her on turf and she seemed to like it,” he said. “She ran well, but just ran into a couple of nice horses. She is doing well, and this seems like an easier spot for her than last time.”
In her only other try on turf, Towser had a brutal trip when she debuted in a maiden special weight race at Kentucky Downs.
Being a half-sister to Customer Group, who won the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel going 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita, Towser could have a bright future on grass. She will break from post 2 with Edgard Zayas up.
Iko Iko was impressive winning a maiden special weight race by 7 1/2 lengths on March 18 at Tampa Bay Downs. It was her first start this year and just her third overall.
Trained by Thomas Proctor, Iko Iko was coming off a lengthy layoff when she dominated her opponents at Tampa. In her previous start May 20, she lost by a head to School Dance going a mile and 70 yards on Tapeta at Gulfstream. School Dance came back to win her next two starts before losing by a head in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita.
Being a lightly raced 4-year-old, Iko Iko has a right to take a big step forward in her second start back. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Kitten’s Joy will break from post 6 with Paco Lopez aboard.
The wild card in the race is Anafiel who will be making her first start in North America for trainer Amador Sanchez. Since 2020, Sanchez has a 29-percent strike rate and $6.25 return on investment with foreign shippers.
A Peruvian-bred daughter of Badge of Silver, Anafeli won three of her seven starts in her native country as a 3-year-old last year.
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