Umphrey Sprint a tough read

With the Gulfstream Park grass course closed for repairs this summer, the $100,000 Bob Umphrey Sprint will undergo a couple of major changes on Sunday, moving to the Tapeta surface for the first time and being extended in distance from five to 5 1/2 furlongs. These new wrinkles could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the longstanding fixture, named after the popular official who served as racing secretary at both Gulfstream Park and Calder from 1993 until his premature death in 2006.

The change in surface could prove a disadvantage for defending champion Warrior’s Pride, who led throughout for a neck decision over Tiger Blood in the 2021 Umphrey Sprint.

Warrior’s Pride has not only never raced over a synthetic track in 14 career starts, he has never posted a work over the Tapeta. The extra distance could be less of an issue, as he has won twice at distances of 5 1/2 furlongs or beyond.

Warrior’s Pride’s biggest asset is his speed, and he may find himself with plenty of company during the early going, with several other frontrunning types among his 10 rivals in the Umphrey. Those speed horses assure an honest pace scenario, which should favor a horse like The Virginian, who rallied to win an overnight handicap on the turf at the direct expense of Warrior’s Pride in his most recent start and is a proven commodity over the Tapeta.

The Virginian has maintained peak form for trainer Steve Klesaris since late last summer, having won twice and been beaten a length or less in his five other starts dating back to early September. The first of those two victories came in his only try over a synthetic surface, a 2 3/4-length allowance tally going 5 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream last fall.

“I do think certain horses have a slight advantage on the Tapeta, and he’s proven he handles it, which could give him an edge,” said Klesaris. “And the extra half a furlong is probably a big plus for him as well. He should get a decent setup, but you always need a good trip. You can’t afford much to go wrong going 5 or 5 1/2 furlongs.”

Dubai Key is perfect in two starts, both over the Gulfstream Tapeta, since shipping from Chile to the U.S. and joining trainer Amador Sanchez’s barn last fall. Idle since Jan. 5, Dubai Key has trained well for his return and is another who figures to be part of the early mix, having been with the pace in both local victories.

Chasing Artie returns to a more suitable spot after being overmatched in his last two tries, having finished eighth in the Grade 2 Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs and more recently 13th and last in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Belmont Park. He did not have the cleanest of trips on either occasion. Chasing Artie, too, should benefit from the projected race flow, although he has yet to compete or breeze on the Tapeta.