French Quarter always tries

French Quarter appears to be sitting on a win going into the $50,000 Trinniberg Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. After all, he’s been the runnerup in his last three starts, and really hasn’t run a bad race on dirt this year, compiling a 2-4-2 record from eight starts on the main track.

What he hasn’t done in four tries is win going the sevenfurlong distance of the Trinniberg, which is restricted to 3-year-olds and up who have never won an open stakes race.

The Trinniberg drew a field of seven and goes as race 10 on a 12-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

In his two starts at seven furlongs this year, French Quarter finished third at Gulfstream in the $100,000 Big

Drama for Florida-breds on May 20 and third in the $100,000 Sir Shackleton on April 1. The Sir Shackleton is an open stakes race.

French Quarter is versatile. With Tyler Gaffalione aboard, he forced the pace in his runnerup finish going six furlongs in a $62,500 optional-claiming race July 22. Gaffalione brought him from well back when he finished second at the same level going 5 1/2 furlongs on June 24.

With Gaffalione riding Disco Partner in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga on Saturday, Edgard Zayas picks up the mount on French Quarter for trainer David Fawkes. Zayas likely will put the 6-yearold gelding into a stalking position after he breaks from post 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

French Quarter, by Shakespeare Last 3 Beyers: 83-85-89

◗ It is hard to knock his consistency, and he should get a nice trip sitting off Harryhee, who has never won a race longer than six furlongs.

Richard the Great, by Distorted Humor Last 3 Beyers: 84-79-76

◗ He took a huge step forward for trainer Stanley Gold when he upset French Quarter on July 22, and should get a similar stalking trip here.

◗ He didn’t race in 2016, but he is certainly trending in the right direction, and as a lightly raced 5-year-old with just eight starts, his best races could be in front of him. Indian Guide, by Cowboy Cat Last 3 Beyers: 77-92-89

◗ Nothing but turf for him lately, but the only time he raced on dirt, he romped going seven furlongs in a conditional claimer at Gulfstream last year.

◗ Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., he didn’t fire in the $50,000 Mecke on July 9, but it was his first start since he finished third in a starter stakes Feb. 20.

Very Very Stella, by High Cotton Last 3 Beyers: 84-71-83

◗ The improving 5-year-old was no match for the heavily favored Conquest Big E in the $50,000 Coast Is Clear on July 23, but he finished four lengths clear of the third-place finisher in the one-mile race.

◗ Trained by Jose NodaFernandez, he has won at the distance and should appreciate the easier company.