Miss Melinda and More Than a Partylook like the main players in an optional $62,500 claiming race at Gulfstream Park on Thursday. Miss Melinda does her best running late and will try to catch More Than a Party, who is the speed of the speed in the six-furlong dash, which drew seven fillies and mares.With other speed in the field, the race should shape up nicely for Miss Melinda. Trained by Marty Wolfson, Miss Melinda will also appreciate the class relief after finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Inside Information on March 19. Like the rest of the field in the Inside Information, she was overmatched by Stonetastic, who was never pressured while scoring an easy win in the seven-furlong dash.
Miss Melinda may have bounced while coming off a runner-up finish behind Stonetastic in the $65,000 Miami Shores in her first start this year. She also earned a career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure in the Miami Shores.
Edgard Zayas rides Miss Melinda.
Wolfson also entered Curlin’s Princess, who likely will be asked to use her good speed after she breaks from the inside post. More Than a Party, trained by Edwin Broome, faded after trying to keep up with Stonetastic in the Miami Shores. It is easy to forgive her, though. It was her first start since she finished seventh as the heavy favorite in the $68,000 Red Cross at Monmouth last June.
More Than a Party was a sharp horse going into the Red Cross, having won three of her four previous starts. Her only loss in the streak was a runner-up finish behind Grade 2 winner Merry Meadow in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream.
She will break from post 2 with Edgar Prado aboard.
KEY CONTENDERS
Miss Melinda, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 71-85-75
With her sharp half-mile breeze April 6, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her rebound from her dull effort in the Inside Information.
More Than a Party, by More than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 55-39-73
The 5-year-old has been sharp in the mornings and could take a big step forward in her second start back.
She is versatile, but more than likely, Prado will be gunning her to the lead. If she clears early, she could be tough to catch.
Pursuing Fate, by In Summation
Last 3 Beyers: 61-82-54
The Mike Maker-trained 4-year-old has the right running style for the shape of the race.
She also likes the Gulfstream surface, with a solid 3-0-2 record from six starts on it.
