Fresh off of a victory in last month's Kenny Noe Jr. Stakes, Speechify will be the one to beat in the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes Dec. 27 from Gulfstream Park.
The Mr. Prospector is one of three graded races being offered at Gulfstream Saturday, along with two 12-furlong grass stakes: the La Prevoyante and the William L. McKnight handicaps.
Speechify is the starting highweight carrying 119 pounds and jockey Paco Lopez in the Mr. Prospector, to be run at six furlongs over Gulfstream's main track. In the Nov. 16 Kenny Noe Jr. at Gulfstream Park West, Speechify stalked in second position early on before drawing off in the lane to score by 3 3/4 lengths for his first stakes victory.
It was his second win from three starts in 2014, and his fourth from seven career starts.
Prior to that, the 4-year-old son of Harlan's Holiday finished eighth in the Gin Rummy Champ Stakes over the grass at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 25.
Kentucky-bred Speechify began his career winning his first two starts at Gulfstream Park last year for owner Team Valor International and trainer Ralph Nicks. The dark bay colt owns three wins from five starts over Gulfstream's main track.
Speechify drew post 6 in the eight-horse field and will try earn his first graded stakes score.
Risk Factor weakened to fourth as the favorite in the Kenny Noe Jr. and will look to atone in this spot for trainer Rohan Crichton.
In the Kenny Noe Jr., Risk Factor had to check early, then rallied outside to draw into contention before tiring. The 4-year-old colt by Stormy Atlantic will get a rider change to Jose Lezcano in the Mr. Prospector and will break from the rail.
Risk Factor has won four of 13 career starts but is still looking for his first stakes victory.
Little Daddy also exits the Kenny Noe Jr., finishing sixth, but has won three of nine starts this year. The 3-year-old Scat Daddy colt broke his maiden in his debut at Gulfstream over this trip March 15. He then won his next start on March 30 before dropping his next five decisions, the streak ending with an allowance victory at Gulfstream Park West Nov. 6.
Little Daddy gets a big switch to Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the Mr. Prospector. Velazquez won the 2002 edition of the Mr. Prospector aboard Hook and Ladder.
Singanothersong, the winner of the 2013 Mr. Prospector, is back to defend his title. The 4-year-old colt by Songandaprayer has only run three times since, that victory, finishing eighth in the Kenny Noe in his last start.