Argentine shipper looks like a runner

Handicappers trying to decipher Thursday’s feature at Gulfstream Park will have to decide whom they trust most bringing a horse back off a lengthy layoff.

Five of the seven runners competing in the third-level allowance/optional $75,000 claiming feature are coming off a layoff of 113 days or longer. Those making their seasonal debuts in the seven-furlong dirt race include graded stakes winners El Kabeir, Donegal Moon, and Riker.

The most intriguing runner in the field may be the Argentine-bred and -raced Milo Milo, who makes his North American debut for trainer Brian Lynch and his first start since July 7. Lynch is 2 for 10 on dirt over the last three years with horses off extended layoffs, and both wins came last summer at Saratoga.

Milo Milo, a 6-year-old son of Equal Stripes, has won 7 of 9 starts – including all five at seven furlongs – but naturally against weaker competition than what he meets Thursday.

Still, he shows a solid work tab, and Lynch has liked what he’s seen from him in the morning.

“You got to be happy with them,” Lynch said of the horse’s workouts. “You say a horse wins 7 of 9 – he can run – and he’s definitely duplicated that in the morning with his works.”

Lynch is somewhat concerned about the rail draw, noting that Milo Milo is quite big and will be breaking from a different type of gate for the first time.

“He’s a very big horse, 17 hands, but he’s got a big stride,” said Lynch, who owns the horse with the AJ Suited Racing Stables of Justin and Ronald Nicholson. “They may flash a bit of speed on him early. The rail wouldn’t be the ideal spot, but hopefully he gets enough time to get in a position to get comfortable and make a run.”

Luis Saez, the leading rider at this meet with 89 victories, has the call.

El Kabeir, a graded stakes winner routing, makes his first start since the Whitney last Aug. 6. He is also making his first start for trainer Bill Mott.

KEY CONTENDERS

Milo Milo, by Equal Stripes

◗ Lynch said that since the horse ran on Lasix in Argentina, he was not eligible to compete in group stakes there.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the last three years, Lynch is 4 for 7 with a $10.37 ROI with foreign shippers making their first start for him. All four winners were running off layoffs of 171-270 days.

Shaft of Light, by Smart Strike Last 3 Beyers: 73-80-101

◗ He was shuffling his feet, hopped in the air, and broke five lengths behind the rest of the field when fourth as the 1-5 favorite in the Trust Buster Stakes at Gulfstream on Feb. 20. With a clean break from the outside post, he figures to be among the speeds in this race, judging from when he wired the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit on Dec. 3.

El Kabeir, by Scat Daddy Last 3 Beyers: 83-97-76

◗ Makes his first start in allowance company after competing in 14 consecutive stakes – 13 graded – since winning a sevenfurlong maiden race at Saratoga in August 2014.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Mott just 1 for 9 in dirt sprints over the last four years with horses he is running for the first time and off a layoff longer than 180 days.