Charlie Mops appears ready to fire

Looking for a single in the Rainbow 6, which has a $898,218 carryover, at Gulfstream Park on Thursday? Charlie Mops looks like the one to catch and beat in race 7.

Charlie Mops, 6, has been lightly raced, with just 11 starts, all on turf. He shows up just about every time though and could be a handful if he brings his “A” game to the $25,000 optional-claiming race for Florida-breds. The 1 1/16mile race on turf for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses, not including Chiseled, who will run only if the race gets moved to the main track.

With a win on a fast track April 9 and a runner-up finish on a sloppy track May 9, Chiseled likely would be favored if he races. He is trained by Fernando Abreu, who also will be represented by Just Foolin Around if the race stays on the grass.

Trained by Gary Jackson, Charlie Mops appears to be coming up to a peak performance. Making his first start this year in a $30,000 conditional-claiming race on April 21, he set a brisk pace before tiring late to finish fourth in the one-mile race. With Edgard Zayas aboard for the first time, he almost took them all the way at the same level and distance in a key race May 10 but came up a nose short.

Between July 19, 2015, and last Aug. 6, he led at every call in five straight races but was disqualified and placed second in the second start of the streak. With a 5-3-1 record from his 11

starts, and with Zayas retaining the mount, he could be gone if he breaks alertly from post 8.

If Charlie Mops doesn’t fire, it becomes a wide-open race, with Just Foolin Around, Fair Prospect, and Adios Nardo entering off solid efforts.

If the Rainbow 6 isn’t hit Thursday or Friday, there will be a mandatory payout Saturday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Charlie Mops, by Bwana Charlie Last 3 Beyers: 84-76-84

◗ Hard not to like a horse who tries as hard as he does every time. His bullet four-furlong move in 48.40 seconds at Gulfstream Park West on May 26 is a good sign that he’s ready to fire a big shot in the third start of his form cycle.

Just Foolin Around, by Keyed Entry Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-81

◗ He ended up on the lead, and after setting very slow fractions, he lost by a neck in an open $25,000 optional-claiming race May 10. He’s better sitting just off the speed, like he did in winning his previous race, and he should get the same kind of trip here.

Fair Prospect, by Exclusive Quality Last 3 Beyers: 84-78-83

◗ Trained by Michelle Nihei, he just missed in an open race at this level and distance May 3 and could get up in time if a fast pace develops in front of him.