Squeezadios is out of excuses

You can conjure up reasons for Squeezadios having been defeated in his last five starts, all at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old colt was outrun by hot prospects such as Outshine, Vincero, and Ice Tea in three of those, and an awkward start compromised his chances as an odds-on favorite in his most recent outing.

The excuses can stop Sunday, however, as Squeezadios likely will come favored again at Gulfstream in South Florida. With Miguel Vasquez back riding for trainer Terri Pompay, the Florida-bred will break from post 1 when he seeks an overdue victory in the 10th of 11 races, a $47,000 first-level allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Besides Squeezadios, the top contenders in the feature include Spectre Bond, a 6-yearold returning from a 20-month layoff for Mark Casse, and a second Pompay trainee, Allurstra, a three-time winner from 13 starts. Rounding out the lineup are Frenchmen Street, Gnarly, and I Idolize You.

First post Sunday is 1:15 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 5:47 p.m. and the 11th race at 6:17. The feature is a key link in the 20-cent Rainbow 6, which spans races 6-11 and had a carryover jackpot of nearly $800,000 going into the Friday card.

After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for three days before a five-day week runs Thursday through Labor Day, Sept. 2.

Sire Stakes coming up

The second legs of the Florida Sire Stakes series will serve as the highlight of the extended Labor Day weekend, as the $200,000 Affirmed and $200,000 Susan’s Girl will be renewed Saturday.

Chance It and Lenzi’s Lucky Lady, winners of the opening legs of the series on Aug. 3, are expected back as decisive favorites in the seven-furlong races for eligible Florida-sired 2-yearolds.

The Saturday card also will include a pair of unrestricted 7 1/2-furlong turf stakes for 2-year-olds, the $100,000 Proud Man and $100,000 Sharp Susan.

The Labor Day feature is the $60,000 James H. Kyle, a 1 1/16mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up.

The third and final legs of the Sire Stakes series will be run Sept. 28.

Prado on the mend

Edgar Prado is expected out at least a couple more weeks, according to his agent, Mike Kelly, after the Hall of Fame jockey suffered a fractured rib in an Aug. 16 spill at Gulfstream.

Prado, 52, has 7,031 career wins, ninth all-time among North American jockeys and second among those still active, behind only Perry Ouzts (7,065). Prado has ridden 12 winners this year; his victory total of 33 in 2018 was his lowest since 1986, his first year in the U.S.