Exotics Plays for the H. Allen Jerkens Handicap

A field of eight will travel the unique distance of two miles on the Gulfstream Park grass in Saturday’s $100,000 H. Allen Jerkens H. I thought that the win by #1 Risk Manager at Kentucky Downs going 1 5/16 miles three back was an excellent one, and I will tab the chestnut for success in this spot. 

Jerkens Exotics

$10 exacta 1 with 3,6,7 ($30)

$3 trifecta key 1 with 3,6,7 ($18)

Trained by Mike Maker, the seven-year-old is an 11-time winner on the sod with one of those tallies coming at Gulfstream, and he brings solid form to the field. The talented late runner has been first or second in five of his last six appearances, and he will benefit from breaking from the rail to save ground throughout the tilt, as well. Edgard Zayas will be in the irons atop the Kentucky-bred. 

#6 Belouni was claimed two back by Jorge Abreu and was last seen finishing a good second behind the top pick at Aqueduct in his latest venture. The bay five-year-old is a mystery at the distance, but he is cut out to run all day, and I expect the French-bred gelding to thrive at the trip for a crafty conditioner. He has useful positional speed and will get the jump on the deeper closing types with Edwin Gonzalez taking the reins.  

#7 Padiddle owns a win and a third from two lifetime runs on the surface and comes in fresh for his first assignment for conditioner Elizabeth Dobles. By Empire Maker, the five-year-old gelding compiled a pair of graded stakes placings marathoning on the grass earlier in the season and surely has to be considered in everything. The Kentucky-bred will have Miguel Vasquez in the stirrups. 

The Miguel Clement-trained #3 Summer Cause has improved some since moving to the grass at extended distances and was a stakes third with the removal of blinkers at Monmouth Park two back. The Summer Front five-year-old has posted four morning drills in advance of this tilt and should be ready. The exotics contender will rally from off the pace with top pilot Tyler Gaffalione in the irons.