Can Speechify Get Back on Track at GP?
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Photo:
Eclipse Spotswire
After winning his first two starts at Gulfstream Park, Speechify
looked to be on his way to bigger and better things for owner Team Valor
International. He will get a chance to get back on track in Saturday’s
fifth race, a six-furlong optional claiming event.
The nearly black colt aired by 10 ½ lengths in his August 24 career
debut and followed that with a victory in a first-level test Sept. 29.
He earned Beyer Speed Figures of 89 and 86, respectively, for those
sprints. However, he failed to show his customary speed next time on
November 10 going a flat mile and finished a distant fourth behind Speak
Logistics. That effort left trainer Ralph Nicks puzzled.
“Maybe he bounced a little bit,” Nicks offered. “It surprised me that
he didn’t handle the mile well , but it is what it is. He’s doing well,
he’s happy and we’re going to put him back to where he’s been
successful.”
Speechify is a grandson of the fast filly Arrested Dreams, whose
offspring include the Grade II Peter Pan Stakes winner Oratory. He has
breezed twice since his last start, including a five-eighths move on the
Gulfstream grass in 1:00 1/5.
“I worked him on the grass the other day since he’s by Harlan’s
Holiday, just for kicks and giggles to see if he’d handle it, and he
handled it well,” Nicks added. “He is a talented horse and those kind
can handle anything, so that might be something for down the road.”
Nicks has held Speechify in high regard from the start.
“Early on I thought he might be a listed kind of horse and, hopefully,
even better than that,” Nicks continued. “He’s always trained like a
very talented horse. We expect to see a good effort from him [on
Saturday]. He’s very sharp right now, and we’ll see what the outcome
is.”
Speechify is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the fifth race. He will break from the three hole with Juan Leyva in the irons.
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