HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – With only four cards left before the turf course at Gulfstream Park closes until December, it should come as no surprise that Thursday’s $51,000 allowance feature on the grass drew a full and somewhat inscrutable field of 12 older horses with any number of logical contenders to consider in a race also featuring a decided lack of early pace. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. has entered Kartano and Cashier Check, who return on relatively short rest after finishing one-two, respectively, in a very well graded starter and optional-claiming race just 11 days earlier. Barboza is obviously looking to get in one more start for both horses over the inner strip before it closes for the next six to perhaps even seven months. Trainers Saffie Joseph Jr. and Kathleen O’Connell were obviously thinking likewise, both also having entered a pair in the main event. Joseph counters Barboza’s potent duo with key contenders Parkland and Treasure King, O’Connell is trying her luck with You Talkin to Me and Uno Tiger, the latter seemingly none the worse for wear after being pulled up and walked off after having to alter course to avoid a fallen rider during the early stages of a mid-priced conditioned claiming event over the course on April 23. Journeyman will return to the local turf for one last time this season after finishing a solid and well graded second against $35,000 starter allowance company over the Tapeta just two weeks earlier. His best chances Thursday were compromised a bit, however, after drawing on the far outside, in post 11. :: Take your handicapping to the next level and play with FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic.  Speedy Hans proved no match for Journeyman in their previous encounter over the synthetic track but should benefit from a return to grass in the rematch, having rallied to a popular one length victory under a $35,000 tag in his most recent trip over this course on Dec. 16. Predicting who might set the pace in the headliner may prove as difficult as picking the ultimate winner with the only member of the lineup to have seen the front during the early stages of any race in 2023 being outsider A Rose for Raven, who may get emboldened at a big price if able to set up shop on the lead while making his first start since being haltered for $20,000 on April 2. Retired trainer Kaplan dies The local racing community is mourning the loss of one of its most successful and popular horsemen, Bill Kaplan, who passed away this past weekend at the age of 77. Kaplan, who retired in 2016 following a career that spanned three decades, all spent in South Florida, was best known for having purchased and campaigned Musical Romance, who shocked the racing world by upsetting the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint after having been supplemented into the race at a cost of $130,000 by Kaplan and his partner, Pinnacle Racing Stable. The victory ultimately led to Musical Romance being named champion filly and mare sprinter at the end of the year. “Bill was not only a great horseman, but a great person,” said Adam Lazarus, the managing partner for Pinnacle who along with Kaplan purchased Musical Romance for a bargain $22,000 out of the 2009 Ocala Breeders Sale. “He took the time out of his busy schedule at the barn to help introduce me to and teach me the business, and was the one who had enough confidence in Musical Romance to convince us all it was the right thing to do to supplement her to the Breeders’ Cup – a decision and a race that ultimately changed a lot of people’s lives, including Bill’s.” Lazarus was also quick to point out Kaplan was not just a one-hit wonder. “People forget he had many other graded stakes horses, like Ekati’s Phantom, East Hall, and Mr. Livingston to name a few,” said Lazarus. “Or that at one point in 2007 his little 15 horse stable had three horses on the Kentucky Derby trail. Drums of Thunder, Storm in May, and Imawildandcrazyguy, who finished fourth in the Derby that year. “He was a very talented and fun guy to be around and he’s surely going to be missed by everyone who knew him.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.