Whisper Onthe Wind cuts back in distance in Wednesday claimer
Whisper Onthe Wind should appreciate the shape of the race and the easier company when he runs in an optional $12,500 claiming race for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday.
He also won’t mind cutting back to a sprint in the 7 1/2-furlong turf dash for 3-year-olds and up that drew eight horses.
Beginning Feb. 5, Whisper Onthe Wind reeled off four straight wins going 7 1/2 furlongs on the Gulfstream course for trainer David Kassen. He was claimed out of his last win in the streak in an optional $25,000 claiming race April 30, and in his first start for trainer Dane Kobiskie, he went unplaced going 1 1/16 miles at the same level May 29.
With the move back to his favorite distance and plenty of speed to run at, he could prove a handful with Eddie Castro retaining the mount.
Some of the speed will be provided by Tequesta Storm, who earned a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure for his 6 3/4-length romp in a $16,000 conditional-claiming race for trainer Michelle Nihei on May 7. With Miguel Vasquez aboard, he broke sharply in the one-mile race on grass and just kept rolling. He drew post 3 for Wednesday, with Vasquez retaining the mount.
Tequesta Storm will have to deal with other speed, however, particularly the Kassen-trained Forall the Marbles, who will be breaking directly to his left.
KEY CONTENDERS
Whisper Onthe Wind, by Flower Alley
Last 3 Beyers: 79-87-86
◗ He has won or was the runner-up in 10 of his 19 starts at the distance, and this is an easier group than he was facing in his first start for Kobiskie.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Kobiskie has won with 25 percent of his starters who were making their second start after being claimed.
Tequesta Storm, by High Cotton
Last 3 Beyers: 88-79-82
◗ He should be full of confidence coming off an easy win in his latest, and with a 3-1-1 record from seven starts going this far, he won’t mind the slight cutback in distance.
Forall the Marbles, by With Distinction
Last 3 Beyers: 64-79-84
◗ Following a romp going 1 1/16 miles on turf in a $16,000 claiming race April 1, he was the runner-up as the favorite in his next two starts.
◗ He will appreciate being back on his preferred surface after losing by 7 1/2 lengths to Moonlight Bandit in a $50,000 starter race that was washed off the lawn May 22.