Short odds for Small Fortune

Small Fortune goes for the hat trick when he runs in an $8,000 starter race with a $12,500 claiming option at Gulfstream Park West Friday. The bad news is he has not raced since his easy victory going seven furlongs at Tampa Bay on Feb. 1. The good news is he can fire fresh, as evidenced by his blowout win going five furlongs at the same level when he was coming off a shorter layoff the last time he ran at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 4, 2018.

Despite the lengthy layoff, Small Fortune appears to be the one to beat in the six-furlong dash, which drew eight horses.

Small Fortune will be making his fourth start for trainer Georgina Baxter. After finishing sixth going five furlongs on turf in a $16,000 starter race with a $25,000 claiming option at Gulfstream Park, he came from a stalking position to win a $6,250 starter race with a $10,000 claiming option going six furlongs on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 12.

He dueled early before drawing off to win his last race by 3 3/4 lengths.

A 12-time winner, Small Fortune is versatile and handles all surfaces. He won five times on turf, six on dirt, with one of his wins coming on a sloppy track at Gulfstream. The 6-year-old Illinois-bred also took them gate to wire running on Polytrack at Arlington Park in his second start.

He will break from post 4 with Reylu Gutierrez up.

KEY CONTENDERS

Small Fortune, by Munnings

Last 3 Beyers: 79-84-76

◗ The layoff is obviously a concern, but he has been working well for Baxter, who has a 2-3-4 record with the last nine she brought back from a layoff of 180 days or more, the latest one being Li’l Meatball, who won a $6,250 claimer here Oct. 18. His previous race was Feb. 27.

Harryhee, by Hello Broadway

Last 3 Beyers: 51-78-6

◗ The 7-year-old Florida-bred likes the local surface, but he has one way of going and got hooked and cooked in a $10,000 starter with an $8,000 claiming option at Gulfstream on Sept. 27.

◗ Trained by Brett McLellan, he took them all the way in his previous start and could be the one they have to run down here.

Native Hawk, by Flower Alley

Last 3 Beyers: 77-81-69

◗ The Juan Arriagada trainee took advantage of the fast and contested pace to win the race Harryhee exits.

◗ They probably won’t be going as fast here, but he should have an honest pace to work with and could get up in time if the track isn’t favoring speed.

Travy Boy, by Gemologist

Last 3 Beyers: 77-77-76

◗ Trained by Michael Arrieta, he finished a nose behind Native Hawk last time, but his good tactical speed could give him a slight edge in this spot.