Friday’s Gulfstream feature to begin the weekend is a highly competitive optional/allowances in which a strong case can be made for five of the eight entrants.
But a look at recently company lines, and the trouble within the race, leads directly to Venezuelan Triumph (7-2), one of two uncoupled from Victor Barboza.
Seriously eliminated from the recent Bears Den Stakes at a lightly longer trip–see Gulfstream Park, JUL 30, Race 10–note that the 3-year-old beat his elders under similar conditions at today’s distance in his prior.
Furth, the spacing is ideal into this and Barboza taps Sonny Leon, whose riding style suits this position-type runner perfectly.
We’re taking Venezuelan Triumph to win at 5-2 or greater and quinellas with Laker Mamba (4-1) also well spotted at this level, and Parkland (4-1), going first time off the Rohan Crichton claim (27%).
