Whisper Onthe Wind shortens up for turf-sprint feature

Whisper Onthe Wind should get a nice setup in an optional $16,000 claiming race for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park West on Thursday. Barring scratches, 11 horses will run in the 7 1/2-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds and up. If the race gets moved to the main track, Kokomo Wildcat will be the one they have to catch at a short price.

Trained by Dane Kobiskie, Whisper Onthe Wind is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes going 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park turf. His most recent race Sept. 11 came at this level, and in both races, the classy 7-year-old rallied from well back.

Considering that his five wins this year have come at either a mile or 7 1/2 furlongs, he shouldn’t mind the cutback in distance. With the speedy Fair Prospect breaking from the outside post, there also should be an honest pace to set up his good late move.

Whisper Onthe Wind will break from post No. 6 with Eddie Castro retaining the mount.

Fair Prospect, trained by Michelle Nihei, is the one they will be chasing, and he will try to make amends for his loss as the favorite in a $30,000 claiming race on turf at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 4. It was his first start in a straight claiming race, and he was coming off a layoff of more than three months. He set honest fractions before finishing second in the 7 1/2-furlong race.

Swagbag also likely will provide speed.

KEY CONTENDERS

Whisper Onthe Wind, by Flower Alley
Last 3 Beyers: 77-81-80

◗ He may have been left with too much to do in his last two races, but he came from a stalking position when he won a $50,000 starter race going a mile on turf at Gulfstream on Aug. 11. He could be tough to deny if he stays within striking range early.

Fair Prospect, by Exclusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 80-80-82

◗ The speed of the speed could take a big step forward in his second start back, and he also may be a bit more settled with the blinkers coming off.

Galleon Mast, by Missen Mast
Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-60

◗ The David Fawkes-trained 3-year-old is trending in the right direction and is coming off a runner-up finish behind Whisper Onthe Wind on Aug. 11.

◗ He may have tipped his hand when he worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 flat at Gulfstream on Sept. 23.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Fawkes has a 17 percent strike rate with horses coming back in 31 to 60 days.