A tough call on grass or dirt

Got darts?

It’s a tall task to sort out Friday’s seventh race at Gulfstream Park, which has drawn a deep and competitive field over five furlongs on turf. The first part of the equation is determining the actual lineup for the first-level allowance, which carries an optional claiming price of $25,000.

There are 11 horses in the field and the chief players are all entered main trackonly: Trev, a winner of his last five starts; Vinnie Van Go, who owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, an 85; Joe Di Baggio; and Take

Charge Dude.

The Friday forecast is for a high of 90 degrees and a 20 percent chance of precipitation, according to The Weather Channel. If there are defections, the field is still a competitive one, with the potential favorite Kobe Fifty Two, who is 2 for 2. Small Fortune is looking for career win No. 14 and Cable Channel can move forward in his second start since June.

Getthe Muny Bernie enters off a maiden special weight win July 15 at Gulfstream Park. He was prominent throughout in that race.

“He tried the grass last time and he ran good,” said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. “It’s going to be a much tougher race this time. I’m more hopeful than confident in that aspect.”

Getthe Muny Bernie was one of the top choices last time, but will be longer odds against these more seasoned runners. The 4-year-old is by Munnings and is a halfbrother to the multiple stakes winners Zeki, who earned $271,154, and Beyond the Reach, an earner of more than $278,398.

Marcos Meneses has the mount on Getthe Muny Bernie for Rosedown Racing.

Kobe Fifty Two has made both of his starts in turf sprints. He won his maiden for a $12,500 claiming price in his debut in April at Gulfstream

Park. In his other start, he captured a $16,000 conditioned claimer July 30 at Gulfstream. The son of Sky Mesa was taken from that race and will be making his first start for Lone Pirate Racing and trainer Andy Williams.

Kobe Fifty Two has excellent speed, and has a chance to show the way Friday.

Sarasota County ran fourth at this level Aug. 7, his first race in four months. He would seem to have reason to move forward Friday. A horse with tactical speed, he could get a trip stalking Kobe Fifty Two and Getthe Muny Bernie.