Exciting juvenile Basha overcomes trouble and wide trip to win again

Gelfenstein Farm’s Basha remained undefeated Thursday at Gulfstream Park West despite experiencing a troubled and extremely wide trip in the featured seventh race, a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance for 2-year-olds.

Sent to post as the 1-9 favorite on the strength of dominating debut Sept. 11, the promising son of Uncle Mo was steadied sharply by jockey Emisael Jaramillo while racing between horses along the backstretch, dropping back to last in a field of seven. After slowly advancing along the rail into the far turn, the Gilberto Zerpa-trained colt was sent five-wide leaving the turn into the stretch and responded with a sustained drive to prevail by 1 ½ lengths.

“He’s one of the top horses in my barn,” said Zerpa, who also trains multiple-stakes winner Dearest, who most recently finished second in the Prioress (G2) at Saratoga. “I plan to look for a two-turn race. I think he’ll like more distance.”

Basha ran seven furlongs in 1:24.20 with his rally off fractions of 22.64 (seconds), 45.92 and 1:11.15. Red Crescent finished second 2 ¼ lengths clear of Thanks God.

Basha, who was purchased for $230,000 at the 2016 OBS March sale, debuted with a 7 ¾-length victory at Gulfstream after stalking the early pace.

Source: Gulfstream Park West