Trophy Chaser ready off long layoff, but can he handle distance?

Trainer Juan Avila is expecting Trophy Chaser to run well in Friday’s feature race at Gulfstream Park when he makes his first start since he finished last in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on May 2, 2020. However, he is not is not confident the Grade 3 winner is going to win the second-level allowance race that also is open to horses that have not won a race since March 3, 2021, which allows Trophy Chaser into the race. The six-furlong dash drew 10 horses and goes as race 9 on the 10-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Eastern. The Rainbow 6 has a guaranteed pool of $600,000. The jackpot wager begins in the fifth race.

The main concern for Avila is the distance.

“He wants to go longer than six furlongs,” he said. “He’s been working fast and could not be doing any better, but the race is probably too short for him.”

Trophy Chaser received a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in the Grade 3 Challenger at Tampa Bay Downs prior to going on the shelf following his disappointing effort at Oaklawn.

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“It’s just been a bunch of little problems that kept occurring,” Avila said. “It wasn’t because of any major injury. No plans for his next start, but we are thinking of giving him a try on turf.”

A Kentucky-bred son of Twirling Candy, Trophy Chaser is a better horse going a middle distance. However, he did win in a six-furlong maiden special weight race by more than 15 lengths with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure running over a sloppy track in his second start. His strong set of works suggest he is ready to fire a big shot coming off the bench and could be dangerous if he can get into a stalking position early. He will break from post 2 with Leonel Reyes aboard.

Pudding and Rough Entry are each going for their fifth-straight win, and both received career-best 88 Beyer Figures for their latest victories.

Pudding, who is not eligible for the allowance conditions, will take advantage of the $62,500 claiming option available.

In his latest start, he came from a stalking position to win a $60,000 handicap on Aug. 8. The 6-year-old gelding by Two Step Salsa was making his first start for trainer Elizabeth Dobles, who claimed him on behalf of herself for $25,000 on July 18. In his previous race for trainer Kathleen O’Connell, he took over the lead at the second call in the seven-furlong race that had first-level allowance conditions.

He is versatile and figures to get a nice trip leaving from the outside post with Chantal Sutherland retaining the mount.

Rough Entry dominated his last four races, with 4 1/4 lengths being the shortest margin of victory in the streak.

In his latest win for trainer Rohan Crichton, the 4-year-old Florida-bred colt by Poseidon’s Warrior dueled early before drawing off to win the 6 1/2-furlong dash with first-level allowance conditions by 5 1/2 lengths.

He could be tough to get past if he breaks early from post 8 with Jose Morelos riding.