Sometimes it takes a start before a 2-year-old begins to come into its own, and Chance It is a good example.

A central figure in the Florida Sire Dr. Fager Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park, Chance It gave what he had in his debut on June 1 and settled for second, 1 1-2 lengths behind Smash Factor. Chance It was 8-to-5 that day and came back on June 29, who sent postward as the 2-to-1 second choice, and overwhelmed maidens by 9 1-4 lengths in 1:03 4-5 for 5.5 furlongs. Left in his wake was runner-up Genghis, who followed that race with an easy maiden win last Saturday.

The Dr. Fager Stakes is the fifth on the program and final leg of the Pick 5. A $36 suggested ticket here includes Chance It along with Absolute Grit in the Dr. Fager.

Absolute Grit was 6-to-5 and finished second behind Positively Awesome in the Kodiak Island Stakes in open company. He broke his maiden with a closing move in April and finished the job with a half-length decision going 4.5 furlongs.

The biggest challenges in the Pick 5 are the first and third races. The first brings together a talented cast of starter optional claiming runners, including The Mighty Judge, Great Kahuna and Justcallmenorman. All three are coming in over decent performances against similar company and any of them could escape with the win here.

Source Control, Mr Stark and Bodie Cody each look ready to leave the ‘non-winners of two’ scene and will tangle going two turns on the turf. One of them likely will move on.

Here’s a suggested ticket for the Pick 5 Saturday at Gulfstream Park:
1) #1 The Mighty Judge, #2 Great Kahuna, #5 Justcallmenorman.
2) #4 Starship Taxi, #7 Cash On Hand.
3) #1 Source Control, #4 Mr Stark, #6 Bodie Cody.
4) #3 Mysterio, #4 High Rolling Dude.
5) #1 Chance It, #4 Absolute Grit.

50-cent Pick Five: 1-2-5 with 4-7 with 1-4-6 with 3-4 with 1-4 ($36).