Upbeat Mood seeks elusive second victory
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since Upbeat Mood won a maiden special weight race in her second start as a 2-year-old at Hollywood Park on June 12, 2012. She was coming off a second-place finish at Calder, and considering how well she ran in her first two races, it is a bit surprising that she is still eligible for a nonwinners-of-two allowance.
Upbeat Mood has a good chance to finally get over the top Friday when she runs in a first-level optional $16,000 claiming race at Gulfstream Park.
Barring scratches, the five-furlong sprint for fillies and mares will go with seven horses if it stays on turf. Silver Fog, entered for the main track only, will be a major player if the race is contested on dirt.
It isn’t like Upbeat Mood hasn’t been trying. She has compiled a 1-6-5 record from 18 starts and has earned $139,106. She also has come very close to getting her second win, losing by a head three times and a neck once.
Trained by Marty Wolfson, Upbeat Mood’s latest loss by a head came in an optional $25,000 claiming race on turf March 22, and she will appreciate the easier company after finishing fifth in the $60,000 Sunset Stakes, also on turf, April 12.
Her sharp four-furlong move in 47.40 seconds over a sloppy track Tuesday is a good indication that she’s ready for a winning effort.
Jonathan Gonzales rides Upbeat Mood for the first time.
Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Upbeat Mood (Last 3 Beyers: 73-82-66)
◗ She easily has the best Beyer Speed Figures in the field, and the horse who finished third in her narrow loss March 22 won an optional $25,000 claiming race in her next start.
◗ The 5-year-old mare could be sitting on a big effort in the third start of her current form cycle.
I Will Be Free (Last 3 Beyers: 70-27-52)
◗ After breaking slowly, she finished full of run to get up for second in a similar race April 18. It was her first start since she went unplaced in a first-level allowance race Sept. 22, 2013.
Formulator Fact: Trainer David Braddy has a respectable 14 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.
Tex Appeal (Last 3 Beyers: 55-77-74)
◗ Also trained by Wolfson, she is the only multiple winner in the field. In her only try on grass, she set the pace before finishing third going 1 1/16 miles in a $20,000 claiming race March 20.