Turf sprint steps into Saturday feature spot

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A pair of overnight stakes on turf were expected to share the limelight on Saturday’s 10-race program at Gulfstream Park. But when those races failed to fill, the spotlight shifted to a five-furlong optional claimer on grass in which seven runners ages 4 and up will compete for a $44,000 purse.

The main event is wide open, with Delta Bluesman and Starship Wildcat likely to vie for favoritism.

Delta Bluesman returns to grass off a solid third-place finish going six furlongs under similar conditions over the main track March 18. Delta Bluesman has posted two of his three wins on grass, including a five-furlong conditioned claiming dash at Gulfstream Park West when haltered last fall by his present connections, White Wabbit Wacing, for $25,000.

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Starship Wildcat makes his first start since moving into the barn of trainer Jane Cibelli, who claimed the veteran turf specialist for $20,000 out of a third-place finish here Feb. 26. Starship Wildcat has not won since defeating higher-priced optional-claiming competition going five furlongs here 14 months ago.

It’s possible to make a case for all seven members of the field, including Wild Mongolia and likely longshot Over and Back, who encountered traffic issues on the turn in his last start.

Key Contenders

Delta Bluesman (Last 3 Beyers: 82-80-88)

◗ A versatile sort, he is capable of winning on the lead or from just off the pace, as he did when earning his diploma over a wet main track here last spring.

Starship Wildcat (Last 3 Beyers: 79-87-64)

◗ Cibelli has won with 22 percent of her starters off the claim, with a return on investment of $1.70 over the past five years, according to DRF Formulator.

◗ Starship Wildcat was beaten a head by Golden Emperor two starts back, and Golden Emperor came back to win a first-level optional-claiming race with an 89 Beyer Speed Figure five weeks later.

Over and Back (Last 3 Beyers: 75-47-0)

◗ He outran his 26-1 odds when finishing a good fourth despite taking up in traffic around the turn under similar conditions March 21.

Wild Mongolia (Last 3 Beyers: 82-74-0)

◗ He drops in class after finishing third against higher-priced second-level optional claimers just two weeks removed from his maiden win while earning a career-best Beyer.