Tropical Turf Handicap 2015 at Gulfstream Park West

Dave Bond | OTB Writer

Las Vegas, NV - The Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap is on tap for this Saturday, November 21 from Gulfstream Park West in Miami Gardens, Florida. Horses three years old and upward will take to Gulfstream Park's turf track and race 1 1/16 miles for the winner's share of the $100,000 purse.

Nine older horses and three Main Track Only Entries have been confirmed for the Tropical Turf Handicap - race 6 on Gulfstream Park's Saturday card. Post time is 3:05 PM. Here is a peek into the past performances of all 12 possible combatants for this Grade 3 stakes.

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Lochte - was at his best in best in 2014 when he won the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in upset fashion, finished second in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile and had a third in the Grade 1 Maker's 46 Mile. He hadn't been great after that before two straight minor stakes scores as favorite ahead of this weekend - the Spider John Stakes here October 25 and the Mr. Steele Stakes at Gulfstream Park in September by a combined eighth length. He failed to place in five of six starts prior to that. Lochte enters on a two race win streak but hopes for a first graded stakes score in 10 months - from gate 6 with Matthew Rispoli slated to ride the 120 pound highweight.

Kharafa - six time stakes winner enters off a second in the minor Mohawk Stakes at Belmont Park October 24 after one of those wins - the Ashley T. Cole Stakes in September, a seventh in his second graded stakes start to date - the Grade 3 Oceanport Stakes in August and win over Lochte in the minor Elkwood Stakes in July. Kharafa has placed in 11 of 12 starts ahead of this weekend and has hit the board in 10 of 12 career starts at this distance - competitive every time out. He hopes to keep the trend going as he chases his first graded stakes score from gate 8 with Edgar Prado scheduled to ride.

Tropical Turf Handicap 2015 | Remaining Contenders

Take the Stand - Argentinean bred Bill Mott trained colt has five wins, a second and a third place finish in nine career starts including a terrific win in the Group 3 Horacio Bustillo at home in February. He has been up and down in three North American starts - a fourth last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Belmont Park October 10 followed a win in a similar race at Saratoga in September and a seventh in an Allowance Optional Claiming in August. Take the Stand hopes his success at home finally translates to North America when he departs from gate 4. Jose Lezcano has the mount.

Key to Power - Brendan Walsh trainee has 34 career starts with 11 wins, four seconds and three third place finishes. He makes his graded stakes debut having won two straight minor stakes races - the Teleprompter Stakes at Arlington September 26 and the Cliff Guilliams Handicap at Ellis Park September 7. He has won three of his last four starts overall and looks ready for his step into graded company. Rafael Manuel Hernandez gets the call from post 7.

All Included - Todd Pletcher trained colt has been OK in his nine race career - four wins and a third place finish. Last time out was a fifth in the Grade 3 Knickerbocker Stakes at Belmont Park October 10 after an OK third in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga September 7 and an Allowance Optional Claiming score on that same track in July. All Included looks for his first stakes score Saturday having placed in five of his last seven starts and leaves from gate 2 with Javier Castellano in the saddle.

Inchcape - has three wins, five seconds and three third place finishes in 19 career starts for trainer Jason Servis. He enters off a fourth in the Grade 3 Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth Park August 23 after consecutive decent thirds - the minor Elkwood Stakes in July and in the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes in June. He has been OK lately and will be after his first stakes win from post 3 with Edgar Zayas guiding him.

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Amigo - will make his graded stakes debut Saturday after 17 career starts produced two wins, six seconds and two third place finishes. He has won two of his last three starts ahead of this race however - an Allowance Optional Claiming last time out on this track October 24 and a maiden score at Gulfstream Park in September. He had a fourth in an Allowance Optional Claiming October 3 sandwiched in there. Amigo takes an enormous jump up in competition from the rail Saturday with Emisael Jaramillo aboard.

Flashlight - Irish bred Michael Maker trained colt has 32 career starts with five wins, seven seconds and four third place finishes. He makes his graded stakes debut Saturday off an OK second in the minor Teleprompter Stakes at Arlington September 26, a Claiming score at Saratoga in August and consecutive off-the-board finishes in Allowance Optional Claiming races this summer. Flashlight takes a huge step up in competition Saturday in decent form. Eddie Castro rides from post 5.

Good and Proper - has 10 career starts with just two wins and two third place finishes. He enters on the heels of three straight fourth place finishes - the minor Spider John Stakes on this track October 25, an Allowance Optional Claiming here October 16 and the minor Dueling Den Stakes at Kentucky Downs in July. Before that were two straight wins. Gold and Proper looks for his first stakes win Saturday and to snap a streak of fourths from post 9 with Joe Bravo aboard.

Lynx - Main Track Only entry has 18 career starts with two wins, two seconds and three third place finishes. He has placed in just one of his last seven starts - that being a second in the minor Sensitive Prince Stakes at Gulfstream Park September 12.

Slim Shadey - Main Track only entry has and astounding 51 career starts with just eight wins, six seconds and three third place finishes. He had graded stakes scores in 2012 and 2013 but hasn't tasted graded stakes victory since. He has placed in just one of his last four starts - an Allowance Optional Claiming score two starts back at Belmont Park October 3. Slim Shadey has just two wins in his last 16 starts and looks typically inconsistent ahead of this weekend.

Saraguaro - Main Track only entry has 10 career starts with three wins, a second and two third place finishes but has two straight minor stakes scores ahead of this weekend - the Millions Classic Preview Stakes on this track November 7 and the Florida Sire Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Gulfstream Park October 3. He is definitely trending upward and could be a threat of the race is moved.


2015 Tropical Turf Handicap Entries & Odds

Race 6 on Gulfstream Park West's Saturday card with a Post Time of 3:05 PM.

Entry Horse Jockey Trainer ML Odds
1 Amigo Emisael Jaramillo Ronny Werner
20-1
2 All Included Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher
7-2
3 Inchcape Edgard Zayas Jason Servis
6-1
4 Take the Stand (ARG) Jose Lezcano William Mott
8-1
5 Flashlight (IRE) Eddie Castro Michael Maker
15-1
6 Lochte Matthew Rispoli Marcus Vitali
9-5
7 Key to Power Rafael Hernandez Brendan Walsh
12-1
8 Kharafa Edgar Prado Timothy Hills
4-1
9 Good and Proper Joe Bravo Larry Bates
20-1
10 Lynx Edgard Zayas Martin Wolfson
6-1
11 Slim Shadey (GB) Tyler Gaffalione David Jacobson
5-1
12 Saraguaro Eddie Castro Saffie Joseph, Jr.
5-1

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