Gulfstream Park announcer Pete Aiello could have his skills put to the test in Saturday’s ninth race with the stablemates Slim Slow Slider and Big Daddy Dave. Both horses rank as top contenders in the first-level allowance at a mile. “In a perfect world, it would be between Slim and Dave down to the wire,” trainer Peter Walder mused. “If they could get a dead heat, I could keep both owners happy.” The horses are part of a field of seven in a race for 3-year-olds and up that carries a claiming option of $25,000. The promising Positive Review figures to vie for favoritism for Gulfstream’s leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., while Spirit of Light is a new face who was Group 1-placed in Argentina. Another capable runner is Magic Eclipse. “It’s a pretty solid allowance race,” said Michael Lerman, who trains Magic Eclipse. “He, too, has distinguished himself in his career and run against some pretty solid horses, so I think he’ll come running and get a piece of it.” Magic Eclipse’s stretch targets could be Slim Slow Slider, who exits a runner-up finish at this level, and Big Daddy Dave, who was a winner at this level last out at Gulfstream. “They both almost have the same running style,” Walder said. “It will be interesting to see. Hopefully, Dave can settle a little bit. I expect Slim to be closer, especially going six and half [furlongs] to a mile. He likes to be up close. Dave had a reason to be up close last time. There were only four horses in the race.” Big Daddy Dave dominated by 11 1/2 lengths on June 30. The win came at this mile distance. It was a milestone for Walder, who collected career training victory No. 1,000. “Obviously, that meant a lot to me,” said Walder, whose first win came in 1994. :: Bet the races with a $250 First Deposit Match + $10 Free Bet and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets. Walder said moving from sprints to more distance has suited Big Daddy Dave. The Beyer Speed Figure of 89 he earned last out is the best last-race number in the field Saturday. Slim Slow Slider earned an 86 Beyer last out when second to the unbeaten Second I D on July 22 at Gulfstream. “He kind of pulled some shenanigans last time,” Walder said. “He hung like a chandelier. He did the same thing when he won the Florida-bred race. The only difference was the horse inside was inferior that day and last time the horse of Saffie’s was a much better horse to come back on.” The Joseph-trained Second I D has earned Beyers in the 90s for his wins. Walder likes the move back to a mile for Slim Slow Slider. The last time the horse raced at the distance he was a four-length winner of a $20,000 starter allowance at Gulfstream. Slim Slow Slider will break from the rail under Jesus Rios, who has the mount for TK Stables. Miguel Vasquez has the mount on Big Daddy Dave, who starts from post 5 for Fools Racing. Magic Eclipse was third at this level last out in a race that has produced three next-out winners led by The Skipper Too, who was to have run back Thursday at Saratoga in the $150,000 Birdstone. Positive Review picks up more distance off a pair of runner-up finishes at this level. He is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Inthemidstofbiz. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.