The always competitive Claiming Crown program lives up to its billing with full-field contentious races. Today we’re concentrating on the lynchpin featured event, the Claiming Crown Jewel for 3-year-olds and up going a mile and an eighth.
The team of Saffie Joseph Jr, and Edgard Zayas has been on a roll since Joseph returned from Saratoga and the momentum has not stopped. Girolamo’s Attack (5-2) is a perfect example. The gelded 4-year-old appeared to travel north for the season, not with a reason, outrun in both Spa starts.
But since returning to his preferred surface, ‘Girolamo’ has improved his Gulfstream slate to (8) 4-2-1 lifetime, winning two straight since his return. And his last was a lifetime best, earning a layover Thoro-Graph performance figure.
A strong angle over the years for us is taking pace-laden milers stretching out to two turns conditions under which, if spotted properly, those kind run the opposition off their feet. Exiting two front end mile wins over similar rivals suits nicely.
We are well aware of the dogma that bettors should not take short prices on horses attempting something they have not done before. But in this case, given the connections, dynamics, inside draw and speedy nature of the Gulfstream strip, the table is set.
From the Street Cry mare Street Attack, Saffie’s razor sharp charge has more than enough bottom side pedigree to last the trip on his ‘A’ race. Based on his last, it’s reasonable to expect a similar effort. Check his last for yourself on HRI’s Going Gulfstream Video on the homepage and see if you agree: Gulfstream Park, NOV 21, Race 3.
We’re taking Girolamo’s Attack to win, no price restrictions, and boxing an exacta with new Mike Maker acquisition Hanalei’s Houdini (6-1). [Makes is this event’s all-time leading trainer].
