The Lead:
The annual Florida Sire Stakes series kicks off Saturday at Gulfstream with the boys in the Dr. Fager and the gals in the Desert Vixen. The 6-furlong events both carry $100,000 purses and open the FSS, which continues in October and December this year as distances extend. It's a later start to the FSS than years past, and should provide more seasoned freshmen in this 2023 crop. The Dr. Fager goes as Race 8 on the card and will be our focus.

​Field Depth:
BENTORNATO (pictured above) is the lone stakes winner in the field, while DICKENS is Grade 3-placed in stakes company. GENTLE BREEZE is stakes-placed. The rest ascend the class ladder, though that's certainly customary this time of year in this 2-year-old ranks.

Pace:
BENTORNATO led nearly every step of the Proud Man Stakes and DICKENS set the tempo in the Sanford at Saratoga. The others would be a surprise to out-foot this pair early, though GENTLE BREEZE should be in the early hunt if he can get away cleaner than he did in the Proud Man.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

1-NINJA STAR: Presque Isle Downs invader tries dirt for the first time while adding blinkers. That's a lot of variable while stepping into stakes company and being tested for class. Not sure the rail and blinkers help here against the quality speed among the two favorites.

2-JIVE: Local debut winner May 29 was an early developer, but was completely overmatched when seventh in the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga. He needs to make up more than 6 lengths on return rival Dickens, but has been working fast on the farm at Arindel for this.

3-LASSO: Impressive rallying debut win when you consider the 5-furlong distance and sloppy track typically accentuate early speed. That gave connections confidence to try the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, where he was a credible fourth. Rhyme Schemes thrashed that field by nearly 10 lengths, so the margin of defeat here is a bit misleading. The one to fear late if the favorites cook.

4-SOUND OF THE BEAST: Difficult debut trip between horses never getting a breather, and he didn't have much space to work with in his second start victory either. For just two starts, the son of The Big Beast has gotten a worthwhile education. Improving and capable.

5-RAGING FURY: Debut win vs. restricted company by a neck as the 6-5 favorite, he's going to have to improve significantly to beat this cast. Hasn't worked with as much zest since the debut win as going into that race, which doesn't inspire confidence of a big step forward.

6-NORTHSHORE DRIVE: Overmatched 15 lengths in the Proud Man Stakes behind FSS rival Bentornato. Fairly well beaten in 3 starts on fast tracks, winning on a wet track in his best effort. Doing a rain dance for Saturday.

7-DICKENS: Strong local dash winner in June traveled to Saratoga and set the tempo in the Grade 3 Sanford before settling for a promising third-place finish. Six sharp workouts right on pattern since returning to Florida and looks like he's absolutely aimed and primed for this. The horse to beat.

8-GENTLE BREEZE: Romped vs. maiden claimers on a wet track in his debut, so you didn't really know what you had going into the Proud Man Stakes. Rough start from the inside, but was able to overcome it and finish a distant second to Bentornato in that one. Wider draw helps here and the lessons learned will be a boost.

9-SECRET LOVER: Maiden adds blinkers after two late-running, modest efforts at Saratoga. He's been this 6-furlong trip or longer in both starts, so there's no doubt the trip will fit his liking. Even with blinkers, likely dependent on the front-runners coming back to him.

10-BENTORNATO: Two-for-two winner of the Proud Man Stakes, he's won on the lead and from off the pace. That's a quality sign from a young horse. Trainer Jose D'Angelo's barn is going very well right now and this will be a very logical contender.

Most Certain Exotics Contender:
No reason to think DICKENS can't last on the front end vs. these for at least a share after what he showed at Saratoga.

Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
LASSO won't be a huge price, but his modest speed figures aren't going to be overbet, that's for sure. I like how it sets up for him late to split the favorites.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$65 exacta DICKENS over LASSO. $35 exacta BENTORNATO over LASSO.