Vai Bella would benefit from quick pace
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There appears to be an abundance of speed in Friday’s seventh race at Gulfstream Park, and if the pace players make for quick fractions it could set the table for Vai Bella.
Vai Bella figures to be making her bid from off the pace in the $35,000 starter allowance for fillies and mares over 5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta. The race has an optional claiming price for 3-year-olds of $35,000.
Vai Bella is part of a field of seven and will break from the outside post under Edgard Zayas. The start will be her first since back-to-back first-level allowance races this spring at Gulfstream. She was fifth in a Tapeta sprint April 22, then eighth over 7 1/2 furlongs on turf May 28. For her return, Vai Bella shows a smart five-eighths move in 1:00 for trainer Antonio Sano.
Vai Bella could settle off Action Rose, who has been working sharply for what will be her first start since December. Other speed horses in the field include Chloe’s Toy, who breaks from the rail; Drum Roll, who was prominent last out on the cutback from two turns; No Action, who wired her rivals in a June 16 maiden race; and Fortuna Belle, who did the same in May.
A quick pace also might suit My Lady James, who is coming off a fifth-place finish at this distance and level June 18 at Gulfstream. My Lady James and Vai Bella are the most accomplished members of the field as two-time winners. My Lady James breaks from post 4. Samy Camacho Jr. has the mount for trainer Carlos David.
Orseno nears 2,000 wins
Veteran horseman Joe Orseno, who has four horses entered on the Friday card at Gulfstream, is nearing a milestone of 2,000 career Thoroughbred training victories in North America. He was at 1,996 through Tuesday, according to Daily Racing Form statistics.
Orseno has horses in the first, second, and sixth races Friday. He had a five-win day at Gulfstream in 2008.
Orseno, whose first win as a trainer came in 1977, has reached racing’s heights. He won the Preakness with Red Bullet, the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf with Perfect Sting, and the BC Juvenile with Macho Uno.
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