Vow Me Now streaks into Thirsty Fish

The Eddie Plesa Jr.-trained Vow Me Now looked like just another horse that would soon work his way into the claiming ranks in his first three starts as a 2-year-old. The move to turf in his fourth start started to turn things around for the Florida-bred son of Union Rags, though, and he has become a horse of a different color this season, winning all four of his starts, all on the Gulfstream Park turf course, including the $75,000 English Channel in his last start on May. 4.

Vow Me Now will put his winning streak on the line when he runs in the $75,000 Thirsty Fish at Gulfstream Sunday. The 7 1/2-furlong race on turf drew 13 3-year-olds with Undaunted needing a scratch to run.

The Thirsty Fish goes as race 9 on an 11-race card that begins at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

Sharing the spotlight is the $75,000 Nicole’s Dream for fillies and mares. The five-furlong race on turf drew nine horses and goes as race 5.

Vow Me Now was particularly impressive winning the English Channel. With Jairo Rendon riding him for the first time, he broke sharply in the one-mile race, stalked a moderate pace, but then got inhaled on the turn and was stuck behind a wall of horses turning for home. When a hole finally opened up midstretch, he made a quick move to get into the clear. However, just as things opened up for him, Art G Is Back swooped by the field and appeared on his way to victory. Under strong left-handed urging, Vow Me Now fought back to win by a nose.

“He showed a lot of determination and the jock gave him a great ride,” said Plesa of Vow Me Now’s effort in the English Channel. “He had a few issues early in his career, but the move to turf is the main reason he became a much better horse.”

Vow Me Now has tactical speed, drew the inside post, and should get a nice trip from a forward position with Rendon riding.

Forever Mo looks like the main threat.

Trained by Antonio Sano, the Kentucky-bred son of Uncle Mo will appreciate the class relief after finishing 12th in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs on May 4. In his previous start, he finished second by a neck to Seismic Wave in the $125,000 Cutler Bay at Gulfstream on March 30.

The Nicole’s Dream is a crapshoot with no standout favorite.

Despite not having won on turf, Violent Times will be among the favorites.

In her only start this year, the Ralph Nicks-trained 4-year-old daughter of Violence won a first-level optional claimer on the main track at Gulfstream on March 20. Her back-to-back runner-up finishes in first-level allowance races on turf at Belmont on Sept. 8 and Saratoga on Aug. 11 put her right there. Adding to her appeal is the presence of leading rider Edgard Zayas.