Vendita looks to make it four straight

Vendita is a very sharp horse right now. In fact, she was so keen going into her last race, a $35,000 starter optional-claiming race, that she broke open the starting gate prior to the start.

The assistant starter did an excellent job of restraining her, so she didn’t get loose or injure herself, and when the gates opened for real, she was the first one out in the one-mile race on turf. Emisael Jaramillo eased her off the pace, and after rating kindly, she made a strong move to take over at the eighth pole, then held off Be Playful to win her third straight race.

Trainer Patrick Biancone is hoping she’ll retain her edge in a $25,000 optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday. The 7 1/2-furlong turf race drew seven horses, with Vendita clearly the one to beat.

Vendita began her streak with a neck win over Janine Melnitz going a mile on the turf at Gulfstream in a $25,000 claiming race for nonwinners of three. She sat just off the lone speed before taking over at the top of the stretch.

In her next start March 29, she ran in a $25,000 optional-claiming race and was sent off at 16-1. Her backers were rewarded when she broke on top and never looked back while edging Be Playful by three-quarters of a length in the 7 1/2-furlong turf race.

Vendita, 5, drew post 6 for Wednesday’s race, and with speed drawn inside, Jaramillo likely will put her into a stalking position early.

KEY CONTENDERS

Vendita, by Smart Strike

Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-79

◗ Considering that the highest Beyer Speed Figure earned by any of her rivals is an 83, a repeat of her last two races probably would be good enough to get her a fourth straight win.

Sweet Ella, by Scat Daddy

Last 3 Beyers: 75-75-83

◗ She looked good winning a $50,000 starter race in her last start as a 3-year-old on Dec. 22 but ran dull races in her two outings this year, the latest a fifth-place finish at this level and distance March 11.

◗ She’s been given time to regroup by trainer Todd Pletcher and could fire as a fresh horse.

FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Gulfstream, Pletcher has a 29 percent strike rate with horses coming back in 31 to 60 days.

On a Star, by Talent Search

Last 3 Beyers: 81-76-78

◗ Trained by Carlo Vaccarezza, she is back with her own sex after just missing while going a mile on turf in a $16,000 starter race April 19.

◗ She has tactical speed and figures to get a nice trip from a stalking position after breaking from post 3. Anthony Crastus retains the mount.