While Ye May tries to stay perfect in 2017 in Jupiter Beach

While Ye May will try to stay unbeaten as a 4-year-old after shipping south from Kentucky for Sunday’s $50,000 Jupiter Beach Handicap at Gulfstream Park in South Florida.

Trained by Dane Kobiskie for the PTK LLC of Paula Haughey, While Ye May is one of seven turf sprinters entered in the five-furlong Jupiter Beach. The dark bay gelding comes off a rousing allowance victory in mid-June at Churchill Downs, making him 2 for 2 in 2017.

“He had some unlucky setbacks as a 3-year-old,” said Kobiskie, a former Marine who rode 290 winners in three years (2005-08) as a jockey before turning to training. “I couldn’t be happier with him this year so far. He’s won over the Gulfstream surface and he’s ready to fire again.”

While Ye May began his career by winning a maiden turf sprint at Gulfstream West in November 2015. His lone win in six subsequent starts came in a first-level allowance over the Gulfstream turf last September. He was away from the races for more than seven months before returning in May with an off-the-turf allowance score at Pimlico, which then was followed by his June 16 victory at Churchill at 14-1.

Not surprisingly, there’s ample speed signed on for the Jupiter Beach, and Kobiskie is hoping the outside post will give jockey Emisael Jaramillo an edge aboard While Ye May.

“I love my post,” said Kobiskie, who has had a winter string at Palm Meadows in Florida in recent years but whose stable currently is consolidated entirely at the Thoroughbred training center in Lexington, Ky.

R Limo Joe, Extravagant Kid, and a filly, Brandy’s Girl, appear to be the chief threats to While Ye May.

The Jupiter Beach goes as the fifth of 12 Sunday races. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 2:49 and the Rainbow 6 (races 7-12) starting at 3:54. The last race goes at 6:38.

After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for three days before another four-day race week resumes Thursday. The next six-figure stakes are the $200,000 Affirmed and $200,000 Susan’s Girl on Sept. 2.

KEY CONTENDERS

While Ye May, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 90-81-63

◗ Although he has led gate to wire in both wins this year, he showed a willingness to rate in his two prior wins.

Extravagant Kid, by Kiss the Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 86-84-87

◗ A pace meltdown up ahead is the most likely scenario to help leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione find a path to victory.

R Limo Joe, by Kantharos
Last 3 Beyers: 82-86-82

◗ This speedy Florida-bred figures to be pushing the issue from the outset when breaking from the inside post.

Brandy’s Girl, by Posse
Last 3 Beyers: 91-81-89

◗ Her last-out victory over Extravagant Kid legitimizes her being spotted against males by E.T. Broome for the fourth straight time.