Vincero figures to rebound

Horse-for-course Vincero returns Saturday to Gulfstream Park West, where he is undefeated in three starts. He looks like the one to beat in a second-level allowance that goes as race 3 on a nine-race program that begins at 1 p.m Eastern.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Vincero is coming off a disappointing performance in the $100,000 Benny the Bull at Gulfstream Park on Aug. 24. With Edgard Zayas aboard, he was within striking range at the half-mile call in the sevenfurlong dash restricted to Florida-breds. However, he faded badly and was basically eased in the stretch.

He went into the Benny the Bull off a third-place finish in the $100,000 Sea of Tranquility, which came on the heels of

back-to-back wins.

Vincero romped going one mile in a first-level allowance race with a $12,500 claiming option on May 17 and was allout to win a first-level allowance race with a $16,000 claiming option on June 27. He won the 1 1/16-mile race by a nose over Winking At Thedude.

Toss his uncharacteristic performance last time and he’s been as honest as they come while compiling a 7-4-2 record from 19 starts for earnings of $204,445. Prior to his last start he had not finished worse than third in his last 13 starts on dirt.

Vincero will break from the outside post in the seven-horse field with Zayas up.

KEY CONTENDERS

Vincero, by Wrote

Last 3 Beyers: 54-86-86

◗ Not sure what to make of his last race, but his bullet fivefurlong move in a minute at Gulfstream on Oct. 13 suggests he’s back on track.

◗ Using his good tactical speed, he reeled off three straight wins over this surface last year and should get a nice trip sitting just off Create Again, who looks like the main speed.

Create Again, by Creative Cause

Last 3 Beyers: 89-64-64

◗ He is not the most consistent horse around, but he can fire a big shot when he’s on top of his game. He ran a huge race in a $40,000 claimer coming off a four-month layoff for trainer Larry Jones at Churchill Downs on Sept. 27.

◗ He was claimed out of the race by trainer Rasharn Creque, who has elected to let Create Again run without blinkers for the first time in his 15-race career. Blinkers off a speed horse can be a good thing, and Create Again has a right to move forward after setting a fast pace in his runner-up finish coming off a lengthy layoff.

Green Mansions, by Kantharos

Last 3 Beyers: 81-91-54

◗ The Stanley Gold trainee was stretching out to a middle distance for the first time when he won a one-mile first-level allowance race at Gulfstream on Sept. 22.

◗ He could be sitting on a peak performance in the third start of his form cycle, plus he can stalk and could get the right trip if Create Again and Vincero hook up early.