Opportunity knocks for trio stepping down from stakes

Successful Native, Blackjack Baby, and Apache Brave all will be shaking a notable rival Sunday when they meet in the featured ninth race at Gulfstream Park West. The horses last faced Extravagant Kid in separate handicaps and lost to him in either September or October.

But the streaking Extravagant Kid is nowhere to be found in the feature, an optional $62,500 claiming sprint for 3-year-olds and up. The race will be run at five furlongs on the grass. It’s the same distance over which Extravagant Kid defeated Successful Native and Blackjack Baby in the Green Parrot Handicap on Oct. 1 and Apache Brave in the Tamiami Handicap on Sept. 17, both at Gulfstream.

Sunday’s race drew 12, including main track-only entrants Quinientos and Storming My Way. More Royalty is the lone filly in the field and has defeated male rivals at this distance on turf.

KEY CONTENDERS

Successful Native, by Successful Appeal Last 3 Beyers: 91-56-97

◗ He could be sitting on a peak race in his third start off an extended layoff. Successful Native returned after a year on the bench Sept. 17 and finished ninth to Extravagant Kid in the Tamiami after a troubled start. One race later, Successful Native closed the gap on that rival, finishing second by threequarters of a length in the Green Parrot.

◗ Successful Native chased wire-to-wire winner Extravagant Kid in the Green Parrot and could either show the way Sunday or get a tracking kind of trip behind such quick rivals as Brilliant Interest and Apache Brave. Raul Mena has the mount from post 4.

◗ Successful Native is the most accomplished member of the field as a four-time stakes winner who leads all of his rivals in earnings with $464,890. Aubrey Maragh trains for Marco Thoroughbred Corp.

Blackjack Baby, by Lonhro Last 3 Beyers: 88-79-86

◗ A winner of four of his last six starts, his most recent out came in the Green Parrot, where he finished third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Extravagant Kid.

◗ A stalker, he could get a decent setup behind a handful of rivals Sunday. Jorge Ruiz has the mount for trainer Steve Klesaris, who co-owns Blackjack Baby with Richard Burnsworth.

Apache Brave, by Kantharos Last 3 Beyers: 80-83-81

◗ He set a rapid pace in the Tamiami, going an opening quarter in 20.80 seconds and the half-mile in 44 before being overtaken by Extravagant Kid. Apache Brave held for fourth, three lengths behind the winner.