So Charming faces allowance foes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Older fillies and mares will take their turn Thursday at Gulfstream Park in back-toback allowances that anchor a 10-race card.

Both races are $51,000 firstlevel allowances, with race 8 set for 1 1/8 miles on the turf and race 9 going as a one-turn mile on the main track. Luis Saez, who led the jockey standings at this four-month championship meet with 77 winners through last week, is named to ride the morning-line favorite in both co-features, So Charming and Treasure in Heaven.

So Charming was beaten a nose for this same condition two starts back at Belmont Park, which makes her an obvious consideration in race 8. Treasure in Heaven was second for this same condition in her most recent start here Dec. 27 and would appear to fit very well in race 9.

Saez was handed a pair of five-day suspensions by the Gulfstream stewards for riding infractions last week and is scheduled to begin serving the first of those penalties next Wednesday, Feb. 13.

First post Thursday is 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Both co-features are part of the Rainbow 6 (races 5-10), which had a jackpot carryover of $1,265,196 into Wednesday. Gulfstream will have a mandatory disbursement of the

Rainbow 6 pool on Saturday.

KEY CONTENDERS

So Charming, by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 86-85-66

◗ Trained by Michael Matz of Barbaro fame, this laterunning 5-year-old mare turns back slightly from the 1 3/16 miles of her last start, a sixth in the Via Borghese at Gulfstream in late December.

Proud O’Paddy, by Paddy O’Prado Last 3 Beyers: 73-76-75

◗ Gray filly is steady as she goes, having posted a Beyer between 73 and 76 in each of her last five starts. She’s one of three in here (with Drop Dead Red and Arch of Troy) who’s entered for an optional $35,000 tag.

Come on City, by Wiener Walzer Last 3 Beyers: 77-57-NA

◗ Imported from her native Germany by Team Valor International, this dark bay filly has made two starts in this country. She ran considerably better in her second stateside try, finishing third here last month under these same conditions.

Follow Marty McGee on Twitter @DRFMcGee