Gunnevera (1) has done his best work closing, and it will be interesting to see if he gets the pace setup he needs in Friday's fourth race at Gulfstream Park, or if he will sit closer than usual as the start will mark his first since March. 

Asterisk (4) looks like a candidate to control the pace based on his front-running win last out at in an allowance Gulfstream. However, he could have some company up front in the form of new face Leitone (2), who like Gunnevera is a fresh horse as this marks his first race since February.

Leitone has shown speed in his two biggests wins, both Group 1 victories in Chile. One of them came at about a mile on dirt and he set fractions of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.41 for the half-mile and 1:10.54 for six furlongs while going on to cover the distance in 1:34.71, according to a video of the race posted on YouTube.   

A duel would benefit Gunnevera. But the other piece of the puzzle is class. Gunnevera is a multiple Grade 2 winner of $2.9 million and his class could help him overcome an unfavorable pace scenario. It's also worth noting that he's won two local stakes at the mile and a sixteenth distance he will travel Friday.