On turf, Erasmo's Dream the one to beat

Erasmo’s Dream got too far behind a slow pace on April 21 when he finished third going 1 1/8 miles on turf in a first-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option. He should have more speed to run at Thursday when he comes back at the same level going 1 1/16 miles on turf in the Gulfstream Park feature.

There are eight horses entered for turf and four as main track only. With wet weather expected through the rest of the week, there is a good chance the race will be contested on dirt.

On turf, Erasmo’s Dream looks like the one to beat. Trained by Armando De la cerda, the gelding is coming off three solid efforts on the Gulfstream Park turf course this year. With two sharp works following his April 21 outing, he appears to be primed for another good race.

In his last race, with Emisael Jaramillo riding, Erasmo’s Dream trailed the field while Driven by Thunder posted a 24.47-second quarter-mile split. Erasmo’s Dream had one horse beaten after Driven by Thunder went a half-mile in 48.97. He finished well, but lost a lot of ground when he had to go four wide around the stretch turn, and was beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Driven by Thunder.

With the speedy Adonis Creed breaking from post 8 on Thursday, Erasamo’s Dream should have an honest pace to work with. He will leave from post 3 with Jaramillo riding.

Bingo Kitten could improve in his first start for De la cerda, who the past five years has a 23 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time.

Adonis Creed, trained by Robert Dibona, is capable of carrying his speed the whole way.

Trainer Stanley Gold has Archer Road on top of his game right now. He is coming off a sharp win on turf in a first-level allowance race for Florida-breds. The one-mile race also had a $16,000 claiming option.

If the race is moved to the main track, Local Hero will likely be favored.

Trained by David Fawkes, the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun will be making just his second start this year and he should appreciate stretching out to a middle distance after showing early interest before tiring going six furlongs at this level on April 12.

Last year, racing for trainer Steve Asmussen at the Fair Grounds, Local Hero finished third to Girvin in the Grade 2 Risen Star and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

He drew post 11 with Edgard Zayas riding.

Beneficiary, trained by Nick Mastronardi, romped by 5 3/4 lengths and earned a career-best 86 Beyer Speed Figure the only time he ran over a wet track. The win was at this level and it was in a race washed off the turf at Gulfstream last Aug. 26.

He is coming off two turf sprints this year and he improved when he finished a close fourth in an open $12,500 claimer going five furlongs on May 12.

◗ A bet made through the Lewiston, Maine, simulcast hub took down the Rainbow 6 last Thursday for $1,214,280. It isn’t nearly as appealing, but the $51,364 carryover for the pick five this Thursday is nothing to sneeze at.