GULFSTREAM Rally Cry back from layoff

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Rally Cry looked like a horse who was going to have a major impact on the 3-year-old division during the second half of 2016. Unfortunately, he never got the chance, going to the sidelines following his thirdplace finish June 11 in the Easy Goer Stakes at Belmont.

Rally Cry will finally make it back to the races Wednesday at Gulfstream Park, where he’ll face five rivals in the $49,000 allowance feature, which also attracted the equally promising Adulator and the stakesplaced Bluegrass Singer.

Rally Cry has won 2 of 6 starts, including a maiden race in his 2-year-old finale here in December 2015. Sixth in the Grade 3 Gotham last spring, Rally Cry defeated older horses under entry-level allowance conditions at Belmont Park prior to his big effort in the Easy Goer, where he was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Economic Model after taking the lead briefly in early stretch.

Rally Cry has turned in a series of works at Palm Beach Downs in preparation for his return, including five furlongs in 1:01.60 last week.

“He never had any serious issues,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Rally Cry for owner Paul Pompa Jr. “He just needed some time after the Easy Goer, so we turned him out for the rest of the year. He’s always trained well, but based on the way he ran the first time, he looks like a horse who’ll really benefit from a race. He’s prepared but not over the top. I think he should run well on Wednesday but will also improve for having the race under his belt.”

Adulator, unraced at 2, started eight times last year at 3, winning twice, including a nine-furlong allowance race at Saratoga. Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, Adulator closed out the year by finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Discovery, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by winner Sticksstatelydude and less than three lengths by the Dubai World Cup-bound Neolithic for second. He, too, has been well prepared for his return, having had six works at Palm Meadows dating to Jan. 27, capped by a five-furlong breeze in 1:00 on March 4.

Bluegrass Singer, transferred to trainer Dale Romans prior to the Gulfstream meet, has improved steadily since returning from a yearlong layoff Jan. 7. His most recent start has been his best, a second-place finish under second-level optional-claiming conditions. He contested the pace in that race before dropping a three-quarter-length decision to Yourdreamsormine.

Bluegrass Singer is one of two horses for Romans in the main event, along with the lightly raced Izzy the Warrior, who opened his career with a pair of victories before finishing third in his most recent outing. He’ll stretch out beyond six furlongs for the first time Wednesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Rally Cry, by Uncle Mo Last 3 Beyers: 98-95-72

◗ He was ridden by John Velazquez in his last two starts but will have Luis Saez aboard for the first time Wednesday, with Velazquez opting to keep his regular seat on Adulator.

Adulator, by Flatter Last 3 Beyers: 96-100-96

◗ He’s the only entrant with a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure, earned for a secondplace finish behind the New York-bred stakes winner Wake Up in Malibu in a second-level optional-claiming race last fall at Belmont.