Lucci the one to beat in ROD

In the DRF feature Race of the Day at Gulfstream, a field of seven 3-year-old colts and geldings will go to post in a 5 furlong turf dash for a purse of $61,000. Get free pps.

Gulfstream Park – Race 8

Here’s the field from the rail out with morning line odds, jockey, trainer, and comments.

1. Pure Speight (10-1), A Arroyo, Carlos Perez – Tried to get him on turf for his maiden voyage and ended up 3rd in a washed out off the turf MSW here at this distance. Came back off a two month layoff to win next out over the all-weather when dropping into claiming ranks. Returns in the hands of a new trainer, a new jockey, higher claiming price, and off a 90 day layoff for the first time against winners.
2. Hope in Him (8-1), J Castellano, Joseph Orseno – Florida bred won at first asking as the favorite in a 4 1/2 furlong here. Failed as the heavy favorite in a restricted stakes in his next start. He could see them all at the wire in a sloppy six furlong stakes in his last start at Keeneland. That sloppy 7th place finish doesn’t bode well for him on turf in here. Sire progeny has minimal success on turf. He’ll get Lasix for the first time and wear blinkers. Plus Castellano will give him another chance. Gotta believe he’s been bleeding but turf ability still a question mark.
3. Mogalu (7-2), E Jaramillo, V Barboza – Goes first time vs. winners off a last out MSW victory here at this trip. Was a tiring second in his only other start on all-weather. Has the best numbers of the bunch and Jamarillo stays with him for high percentage connections.
4. Barone Cesco (9-2), L Saez, Antonio Sano – Launched his career a winner at Saratoga under similar conditions. His two turf tries here were against stakes caliber company and earned his highest Beyer 69 three back on the GP lawn finishing third by a neck in a stakes, while gaining. Jamarillo passes this time but Saez plenty capable and he is dropping in class.
5. Classicstateofmind (3-1), P Lopez, Jose D’Angelo – Showed speedy ability in his first two career starts going 6 here. Got the maiden win in his third start when switched to turf for a $50K tag. Will be saddled by his third different trainer but Lopez who was aboard for the win will get back up for this. Winning effort was hand timed so Beyer not available but final time was clocked in :59.3 for the 5 furlongs.
6. Tops the Chart (8-1), R Hernandez, J Duarte – Gelded since his last start in at stakes at Laurel. It was his first time vs. winners and he battled boldly before tiring to finish 6th. Off two months and returns a new man.
7. Lucci (5-2), T Gaffalione, Wesley Ward – Homebred won his debut at Belmont sprinting 5 furlongs on turf as the favorite against three others. Traveled across the pond to try his hand in a G2 on turf and led before tiring to finish 5th vs G1 types. Returns to the states for his first race in almost 8 months. Trainer is a master class horseman and a steady pattern of works points his way to the winner’s circle.

Post time for DRF’s Race of the Day is scheduled for 4:11 PM ET and will go as race 8 on the 9 race card for Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Gulfstream.

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