Beach Master Tries Gulfstream Turf Thursday

Beach Master, who finished a solid second in an optional claiming allowance over Gulfstream Park’s main oval on Dec. 8, will return to action on turf in Thursday’s sixth race for new connections. The 2-year-old son of Black Mambo set a swift early pace before being caught by odds-on favorite Handsome Jack in the 6 ½ -furlong sprint.

“He looked good on paper: speed, young,” said trainer Jim DiVito, who claimed the son of Black Mambo for $50,000 for Doubledown Stables. “He seems fine, but I don’t know if he’ll turf. We’ll see what happens on the turf.

Beach Master, who finished 5 ½ lengths ahead of the third-place finisher in his last start, doesn’t have a big flat turf foot, but he has something else that has prompted to move to turf.

“The breeding is what entices me to try him on the turf. He’s out of an Honor Grades mare, and Honors Grades is turf,” DiVito said. “I think his mother threw a winner on the turf, if I’m not mistaken.”

Robby Albarado has been named to ride Beach Master.