Wine List following sharp sprint win with step up in class

Trainer Ron Faucheux is expecting another good effort from Wine List in a $25,000 optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The 7-year-old figures to be among the favorites in the five-furlong dash on turf for 3-year-olds and up that drew eight horses.

Wine List is stepping up in class after an impressive front-running win going 5 1/2 furlongs on grass in a $15,000 conditional-claiming race at Fair Grounds on March 27. It was his second start this year. In his first start, he set the pace before fading while going a mile at the same level.

It was completely understandable that he tired. After all, it was his first race since he finished fifth in a first-level allowance race in New Orleans on the last day of the year in 2014.

“He injured his tendon, and it took us longer than we thought to get him back to the races,” Faucheux said.

Wine List’s sharp win in his last start was the first time he sprinted on turf. The 87 Beyer Speed Figure is his career best. His other win came going 1 1/16 miles on turf in a maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs.

“He ran a big race, so maybe this is what he really wants to do,” Faucheux said. “Going 5 1/2 furlongs at the Fair Grounds is a little different than going five furlongs at Gulfstream, so we’ll see how he handles it.”

Wine List could be the one they have to catch if he breaks alertly from post 2 with apprentice Nicky Figueroa riding.

“With a good, clean break, he’ll go on with it,” Faucheux said. “He’s versatile, though, and doesn’t have to be in front.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Wine List, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 87-69-83

◗ He was posting Beyer Speed Figures in the 80s before he was injured, and he easily owns the best last-race figure.

◗ He had a sharp five-furlong interim move and could be sitting on another big effort in his third start back.

Posse Dreamin, by Posse
Last 3 Beyers: 75-72-93

◗ Trained by Edwin Broome, he may have needed his last race, his first this year.

◗ The stakes winner is capable of stalking what should be an honest pace, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take a big step forward with a race behind him.

Diddley, by Stay Thirsty
Last 3 Beyers: 76-68-69

◗ The lightly raced 3-year-old has two wins and a runner-up finish from three starts going this distance on this course.

◗ In his last start, which was his first for trainer Oscar Gonzalez, he chased Eloy Rod early and then wore him down late to win a $20,000 starter optional-claiming race April 21.