Turf sprints highlight Friday card

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A pair of five-furlong turf sprints valued at $51,000 apiece carded under allowance conditions, one open, the other for females, highlight Friday’s 10-race program.

A field of seven colts and geldings will go postward in the seventh race, led by By the Sey Shore and Macho Blue, who finished noses apart in second and third under similar conditions behind Sturgeon on Feb. 14. By the Sey Shore rallied from midpack to wear down the 4-5 Macho Blue for second money. Macho Blue chased the winner from the outset before faltering slightly near the wire.

The pace should be an honest one, with Macho Blue likely to have company up front from Real Money and Camp Randall.

Nine fillies and mares will line up in the ninth race, a fairly well-matched group led by Awsum Roar, a veteran turf-sprint specialist with nine victories under her belt, including a 2 1/4-length triumph under a $16,000 claiming tag in her last start Jan. 29. Awsum Roar retains the services of jockey Luis Saez on Friday, despite moving to trainer Elizabeth Dobles barn off the claim.

The pace also figures to be hotly contested, with Tiz Red Wine, Miss Auramet, Dealer’s Girl, and Fightress bringing plenty of early speed to the table. That could aid the cause of late-runners such as Bentley’s Dream and Tap Tap Taparoo.