Vicuna has a lot of upside despite being lightly raced

The seemingly endless supply of talent in the Todd Pletcher barn is typified by horses younger than Vicuna.

A soon-to-be 6-year-old with just five career starts, Vicuna will be returning from a nine-month layoff when part of a deep field in a $40,000, third-level allowance with a $100,000 claiming option that serves as the Friday feature at Gulfstream Park in south Florida.

Pletcher, the six-time Eclipse Award winner who surely will be one of three nominees for outstanding trainer of 2014, has gotten 11 workouts into Vicuna at Palm Beach Downs since mid-September in preparation for this seven-furlong race. The late bloomer actually will be making just his second start for Pletcher – and first since being gelded – in risking a three-race win streak when facing nine other 3-year-olds and upward.

:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Friday

Pletcher has assumed his customary spot atop the Gulfstream trainer standings with 11 wins from his first 29 starts at the meet that began Dec. 6. Of his three winners last weekend, led by Sandiva in the Tropical Park Oaks, none was older than 3.

First post for the 10-race Friday program is 12:35 p.m. Eastern, with the feature (race 9) going at 4:27. One other allowance (race 5) is on tap.

With the resumption of racing after the Christmas holidays, the normal five-day schedule (Mondays and Tuesdays dark) is back in effect at Gulfstream, with the next exception being a Jan. 19 card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Midnight Cello (Last 3 Beyers: 86-100-96)

◗ One of three in here entered for the optional $100,000 tag (with I’m Steppin’ It Up and Narvaez), he’s going turf to dirt looking to return to his peak autumn form, when he recorded that 100 Beyer Speed Figure behind stablemate Valid.

Purple Egg (Last 3 Beyers: 95-68-80)

◗ His sharp last-out try in October and the presence of Javier Castellano are sure to draw attention to this stakes-seasoned 4-year-old, whose form is dotted with such big-timers as Verrazano, Shanghai Bobby, and Lea.

Little Daddy (Last 3 Beyers: 77-96-72)

◗ This 3-year-old colt failed to show up in November in the Kenny Noe at Gulfstream Park West, but his prior effort was absolutely huge, as he knocked out his second allowance condition with a career-high Beyer. His career record in non-stakes races is 3 for 3.

Vicuna (Last 3 Beyers: 83-88-73)

◗ He seems to have plenty of upside after having been given sufficient time by Pletcher to get over what had been bothering him.

◗ He’s never faced such stern competition, yet he comes well drawn toward the outside and with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez named.

Simmstown (Last 3 Beyers: 86-99-93)

◗ Winner of the 2013 Kenny Noe at what then was known as Calder, this 6-year-old horse returns from a nearly one-year layoff with seven works under his belt since Nov. 5 for Marty Wolfson.