Dwoskin wants to keep improved Barry Karafin Bets

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The highly regarded Theory wasn’t the only 3-yearold in the entry box when the Spectacular Bid Stakes failed to fill here at Gulfstream Park several weeks ago. So too was the improving Barry Karafin Bets, who instead has landed in Sunday’s co-featured eighth race, a first-level optional $75,000 claimer for 3-year-olds going six furlongs.

Barry Karafin Bets won his maiden at second asking at 2 when dropped in for a $50,000 claiming tag by owner and trainer Steve Dwoskin, drawing off to an impressive fivelength victory at Gulfstream Park West. His stock has risen, and he has become a highly sought-after commodity ever since.

He crushed starter-allowance competition by 3 1/2 lengths in his 3-year-old debut here Jan. 15 and then validated the performance by extending trainer Todd Pletcher’s oddson Third Day before dropping a tough neck decision in a restricted stakes run at one mile three weeks later.

“I’ve had a lot of people call, and I’ve turned down a lot of money for this horse,” said Dwoskin. “But the older I get, the more I want to keep a good horse. Actually, I admit he’s surprised me a little the way he’s progressed. When I ran him for $50,000, I figured he was worth a little more than that, but he’s definitely improved with maturity and experience.”

Dwoskin said he doesn’t believe turning Barry Karafin Bets back to six furlongs after the youngster paired up career-high 86 Beyer Speed Figures in his last two starts should be an issue Sunday.

“I think he’s effective anywhere from six furlongs to a mile,” said Dwoskin. “In fact, Luis [Saez] told me he thinks he’ll handle two turns just fine as well.”

Barry Karafin Bets is one of only two multiple-race winners in the five-horse lineup, along with My Friend, who has three victories and makes his first start since being haltered for $50,000 by trainer Mark Hennig for owner Debra Posgai off a twolength triumph here March 9. The speedy Wait, who returns to the main track off a disappointing turf debut, and Mai Ty One On should help ensure a lively pace. Fireman Oscar rounds out the lineup.

◗ Sunday’s 10-race program also includes a first-level optional $25,000 claimer for older horses at one mile on the main track.

The impressive maiden winner Illustrious Son, the veterans Chiseled and Russian Greek, and Mystic Sky, making a rare appearance on dirt, are among the leading contenders in the third race.

Illustrious Son ran off the screen to an impressive sixlength maiden win when adding blinkers and catching a sloppy track in his last start.

Chiseled and Russian Greek are both 10-time winners, although each is perhaps a bit more effective around two turns than one.

Mystic Sky has registered all three of his victories on grass but has finished third a couple of times on dirt.