Xy Speed is the kind of horse who likes to hear his feet rattle, and his connections are hoping he gets his favorite course condition for Friday’s eighth race at Gulfstream Park.
“It’s real important it stays on firm turf,” trainer Michael Lerman said.
Xy Speed is part of a field of seven for the no-conditions allowance at five furlongs on the grass. The field includes Reef Runner, winner of the off-the-turf Bob Umphrey Sprint.
Xy Speed was scratched from that race after it was moved to Tapeta. There is a 24 percent chance of rain in the forecast for Friday.
“I’m watching the weather,” Lerman said Tuesday. “There’s a chance of showers every day.
“We’ll see. He’s ready to roll.”
The scratch from the Bob Umphrey led to a start in the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland, where Xy Speed finished seventh, beaten two lengths, after breaking from post 11.
“He was unlucky at Keeneland,” Lerman said. “Not the smoothest of trips in a pretty strong race. He fortunately bounced out of that very well and should be ready to roll, assuming he gets to run.
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“The last two times he’s been in overnight stakes at Gulfstream, he’s been even money and it rained and came off the turf within hours of the race. It’s been a little frustrating navigating the weathermen.”
Paco Lopez has the mount on Xy Speed from post 7. A stakes winner for Clear Stars Stable, Xy Speed is 6 for 13 over the Gulfstream turf and won three straight races over the local course between March and May.
“Even though he’s been closer to the pace the last two times that he’s run, I prefer that he’s running at them at the end,” Lerman said. “I rather him be finishing and running at them. I think there’s sufficient speed in there, so it will be a more typical trip for him, hopefully.”
Yes I Am Free figures to show speed as a fresh horse who set the pace last out in the Mighty Beau at Churchill Downs. This will be his first out since June. He is a two-time winner of the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint.
King Cab is a confirmed front-runner, while Doctor Jeff also brings natural speed to the table. King Cab set the pace last out in a $25,000 starter allowance in which he finished third, while Doctor Jeff won a first-level allowance last out on Tapeta.
Reef Runner used stalking tactics to win the Bob Umphrey. He was a two-length winner in his first start against older horses.
Reef Runner also is proven sprinting on turf at Gulfstream. He is 2 for 3 over the local turf.
Reef Runner will break from post 4 for Alex and JoAnn Lieblong. Trainer David Fawkes has given the mount to Miguel Vasquez. Fawkes and Vasquez won the feature race Sunday at Gulfstream with Smile Po. It was one of three winners on the card for Vasquez.
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