Valid Takes on Team Pletcher in Grade 2 Gulfstream Cap

The always-difficult-to-beat Todd Pletcher will saddle four of the seven runners including the 2/1 favorite Itsaknockout, but Valid (5/2) is the one to beat despite being snubbed as second choice on the morning line. The hard-knocking Marcus Vitali trainee is a beast at Gulfstream with six wins in 13 careert starts to go with four runner-up finishes and a third. The one mile distance is his best and he enters the race with three consecuitve triple digit Beyer Speed Figures. In addition, Valid finished second last out in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap, beating Itsaknockout by over two lengths in the mile and an eighth race that figured to give that rival an advantage. Since the Donn, Valid has posted a pair of bullet workouts suggesting he's on his toes and ready to run his usual race, which would be plenty good enough to deliver a winning performance. Breaking from post 5, Valid will have the option of stalking his main pace rival Stanford, but is plenty quick enough to outbreak that rival if jockey Nik Juarez chooses. 

Pletcher runner looks like false favorite 

Itsaknockout is the 2/1 morning line favorite, but simply does not stack up well against Valid. While not running poorly in the Donn defeat, Itsaknockout seems to prefer more distance and does not have Beyer Speed Figure to suggest he's fast enought to defeat his main rival. 

Other Pletcher entries could chase Valid

Stanford (7/2) and Blofeld (6/1) - both Pletcher runners - are classy and fast enough to tax Valid early, but would likely run themselves out of the race if used in that fashion.