Erasmo’s Dream can rebound on turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Erasmo’s Dream earned a zero Beyer Speed Figure when finishing a distant fourth and last just two weeks ago in The Vid Stakes. But despite that dismal effort, Erasmo’s Dream could prove the one to beat, weather permitting, when taking on eight rivals in Friday’s $47,000 main event at Gulfstream Park. The race is carded at 1 1/8 miles on the turf under optional-claiming conditions.

Erasmo’s Dream has proven to be a turf specialist throughout his career, having made 16 of his 19 starts and posted all three of his victories on grass. The Vid was originally scheduled for the turf but was switched to a sloppy main track while scratching down to just four starters due to the surface change.

Trainer Armando De La Cerda opted to keep Erasmo’s Dream in the lineup, and the 4-year-old son of Brilliant Speed wasted little time in showing his disdain for the wet going when losing contact with the others after a half-mile before ultimately being eased to the wire nearly 60 lengths behind race winner One of a Kind.

The prevailing thought is to just put a line through his last start and consider what Erasmo’s Dream has accomplished on turf when evaluating his chances in Friday’s headliner. A stakes winner on the local course in February 2017, Erasmo’s Dream has hit the board in each of his last five starts over the surface, a series of sharp efforts capped by a victory against similarly conditioned optional-claiming company July 14 for which he received a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure.

Stretching out to 1 1/8 miles also should prove no issue for Erasmo’s Dream, who finished a wide and late-running third in his only previous start at the distance this past spring.

Who’s Your Drama and Unbridled Holiday are among the other key contenders in the well-matched lineup.

Who’s Your Drama has been lightly raced this season, having registered a win, a second, and a third in just three starts during 2018. He is coming off a third-place effort going a mile under similar conditions Aug. 9 and has finished first or second in 9 of 14 career outings locally. His regular rider, Miguel Vasquez, has opted to take the call on Erasmo’s Dream, but trainer Peter Walder found a suitable replacement in the red-hot Paco Lopez.

Unbridled Holiday, a versatile sort who’d also be a major player should inclement weather force the race to be moved to the main track, is winless in his last six starts but exits a sharp second-place finish behind the 8-5 Give to U. K. Cats while equipped with blinkers for the first time. He will be reunited with jockey Edgard Zayas on Friday.

Unbridled Holiday is one of two horses whom trainer Patrick Biancone entered in the headliner, along with the speedy maiden Brilliant Light, who likely would serve as a rabbit for his uncoupled mate if he starts.

Kikinboy and Affluential, second and third in the 12-furlong Copingaway Stakes on July 28; Global Entry, the lone member of the lineup with a win at this distance; Without Remorse; and False Accusation round out the field. Gray Beau was entered for the main track only.