Special Season, more than 19 months removed from his last trip to the winner's circle, will have his American debut in Friday's seventh race, an allowance race on turf.

Despite the 10-race losing streak since December, 2015, Special Season (12) holds appeal in a race that lacks a strong favorite. The booking of top jockey Flavien Prat is another encouraging sign for trainer Tim Yakteen.

Special Season has run primarily on the all-weather circuit in England since the start of 2016. In February of this year, he ran on the frozen lake in St. Moritz, finishing a game second in an allowance race at 6 1-2 furlongs. Other than the novelty, little can be gained from that. Since that race, Special Season has finished fourth and fifth in races on all-weather surfaces.

Special Season has not run since March. Interestingly, he won his first start in a turf race at Sandown Park in the summer of 2015, his only win in five starts on turf. Though that may seem like ancient history, the win showed Special Season can be effective at seven furlongs. 

There is an uphill finish at Sandown Park. This race is 1 1-16 miles. The distance should not be an issue for Special Season.