Equine Rewind
EQUINE REWIND
(Bob “Railbird” Roberts scans Gulfstream Park’s races through the lenses of the pan and head-on cameras for good trips, bad trips and track bias.)
Monday, Feb. 20th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- Backwheeling horses is a risky business, but using the likes of SASSIDY in the exacta pool is a pretty solid bet. She came running late today, but for the seventh time in 20 career starts, she finished second. The payoff today was $70.80 for a $14 (wheel) investment.
SECOND RACE --- Getting the speedy SPECIAL SONG to last on the lead is a difficult task. And when he runs a quarter in 22 seconds and a half-mile in 44 4/5 seconds like he did today (fastest splits of the afternoon), he can’t hang on. A third place finish was the result. Slow down, buddy.
THIRD RACE --- Now that she has the hang of it, don’t be surprised if INDY ANNESTESIA wins right back. She went wire-to-wire to break her maiden in her third start on the grass. The first try resulted in a 7 ¼ length defeat, the second just 2 ½ markers. Those beaten by her today had no excuses.
FOURTH RACE --- She’s only run six times, so the learning process is ongoing, but as soon as ASIAN ODYSSEY starts breaking alertly, she could be a consistent winner. Today’s runner-up finish was an off-the-pace effort after a ragged break from the gate.
FIFTH RACE --- LADY KIERKEGAARD is the horse to watch out of this grassy maiden special weight route race. A bit tentative away from the gate in her career debut, she put in a monster rally the final eighth of a mile to be beaten less than two lengths. That’s the good news. The bad news is that you shouldn’t expect to get 12-1 (today’s price) next time out.
SIXTH RACE --- GAMBARU was on the turf for just the third time in his career and the first time since last April. Here’s hoping his next start is on the lawn, especially after having a wide trip (both turns) and still finishing fourth, beaten less than three lengths.
SEVENTH RACE --- LITTLE BAILEY, at least on paper, appears to be at her best when prominent early. She lost her best chance when squeezed back at the start. That said, she scrambled to finish fourth (beaten two lengths). Maybe next time.
EIGHTH RACE --- You won’t find many 12-horse fields where everybody behaves as well as this bunch did. AFLEET MAGIC got home first with a stalk-and-strike rally. Runner-up JUST FOR FRANK was stubborn on the rail.
NINTH RACE --- Handicapping mini-marathons like this 1 and 3/8th test is usually a difficult proposition. Not today for Gulfstream’s bettors. They made STARFORMER the 7-5 favorite and she responded with a front-running rocking chair victory.
TENTH RACE --- SPORTS DAY had been in trainer James Baker’s barn for just one start prior to this one. He ran okay on Jan. 25 and much better today. Despite starting from the 11 post and having to race three or four-wide every jump, he finished third.
Sunday, Feb. 19th
Main track: Fast. Bias: Stalkers and speedsters had the best of it.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers won four of five races.
FIRST RACE --- QWEST FIELD, second in the wagering, may have left his best race behind the starting gate. He threw a fit prior to the break, dumped Rajiv Maragh, and was outrun when the running began. URBAN TIGER was an unlucky runner-up, elevated after having to steady behind a drifting CODE PROOF.
SECOND RACE --- Keep an eye on SCATTER JOY, a runaway winner in his career debut by 7 ½ lengths. He ran his opening half-mile in 44 2/5 seconds and three-quarters in 1:09 2/5, equal or better than the splits of the Grade III Hurricane Bertie, run later on the card.
THIRD RACE --- This may have been the closest race of the season, the nine entrants separated by less than five lengths. The runner-up effort by STARSHIP SULTRY was a very good one after she was knocked about at the break. ENGLISH NOTES, a bit too anxious to run, had a rough trip.
FOURTH RACE --- This dash was a two-horse race and a clean one at that. NONNO’S BOY chased HEAVY DUTY, caught him, and won off by three lengths. It was seven markers back to the show horse.
FIFTH RACE --- All six starters managed to stay out of each other’s way. Graded stakes winner DANCINGINHERDREAMS used stalk-and-strike tactics to overcome nearly four months of cobwebs. Runner-up GO UNBRIDLED, a late-blooming New York-bred who was also idle since November, put up a good fight.
SIXTH RACE --- EL BENDINAT, on the class drop, was an unlucky fifth, beaten less than two lengths. He was stuck behind a wall of horses at the eighth pole, but swung wide and made up considerable ground.
SEVENTH RACE --- RODAN’S half-length victory is even better than it looks. He took a solid shot at the break from a bullish rival to his outside and was knocked sideways. A love of the Gulfstream Park surface may have helped, this victory being his third in seven local starts (with two seconds.)
EIGHTH RACE --- This $30,000 claiming “non-winners of three lifetime” had the fastest grass fractions of the day. That makes the efforts of third place COURAGE TO BE and fifth place GUNS AND RELIGION solid ones. They fought for the lead and were beaten less than a length.
NINTH RACE --- ARC ABOVE turned in an encouraging effort in his career debut. He hawked the front-runners and didn’t throw in the towel until late, beaten less than three lengths.
TENTH RACE --- R HOLIDAY MOOD was in no mood to share the winner’s circle. She did just that on Jan. 8 when caught on the wire in the Ocala Stakes, but today she dueled from the gate to the line with FUNNY SUNNY and prevailed by a neck. The favored HER SMILE had a bit of a wide trip and had to settle for third money.
ELEVENTH RACE --- Closers had a big day on the grass and MARKET PRINCESS, despite a ragged start, dove between rivals late to prevail. Pacesetting MUSICALDEFINITION went a big trip, beaten just 1 ¼ lengths.
Saturday, Feb. 18th
Main track: Fast. Bias: Lean speed.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- There was no catching CALIFORNIA QUICK, the front-running winner by 10 ½ lengths, but there was trouble behind her as runner-up BREEN’S HARD TEN was disqualified to ninth for causing a chain-reaction of steadied rivals, BABY KISS and STARSHIP SURPRISE among them.
SECOND RACE -- Jockey John Velazquez put his saddle rivals to sleep in winning this maiden special weight route race aboard BADLEROIBROWN. He threw a half mile split of 50 seconds and six furlongs in 1:14 at them before moving off in the stretch. If you backed a closer, better luck next time.
THIRD RACE --- Runner-up DAWN’S SONG ran the sort of race that would make a lot of railbirds think of backing her next time out. But win bettor beware. Although off slowly and bumped at the break, the veteran mare is now 3-for-54 lifetime with six runner-up and 16 show finishes. Gimmicks yes, a win wager probably not.
FOURTH RACE --- Put runner-up PERFECT TAY on your “horses to watch” list. The first-timer got away awkwardly, was far back early and steadied in the turn, but exploded when guided to the rail. CHARLIE’S QUEST bounced off the rail entering the backstretch, kicking up a lot of dust.
FIFTH RACE – Kentucky Derby winner ANIMAL KINGDOM returned to the Gulfstream Park turf course and turned in a very professional effort to score by two lengths. Idle since finishing sixth in the Belmont Stakes, he rated for jockey John Velazquez and rallied when called upon.
SIXTH RACE – A change in tactics may have played a role in HIGH POMPEROY’S never-say-die victory. The sophomore filly flashed speed in her previous three starts, but then retreated by a combined 19 ½ lengths. Jockey Edgar Prado rallied her today and she flew home the last eighth of a mile.
SEVENTH RACE --- He’s at it again. Javier Castellano, Gulfstream’s most successful turf jockey, scored his second grass score of the day (he’d get a third later) with a flawless stalk-and-strike ride on POWHATAN COUNTY. The course has bee favoring speed types of late, so the late run of LEIPZIG was a good one.
EIGHTH RACE --- WINDSURFER got the money with a mild rally, but the effort by runner-up PUSHINGONASTRING was quite impressive. He dueled from start to finish and fought the winner until deep stretch. His margin on the show finisher was 6 ½ lengths.
NINTH RACE --- Javier Castellano completed his turf triple with CORPORATE JUNGLE, a colt who was easily best of this allowance lost. However ZA APPROVAL, who settled for second money, could be a handful next time out. He usually is quick away from the gate but was off slowly and had to scramble.
TENTH RACE --- Better with age? FORCE FREEZE, in his 2012 debut at age seven, dominated this renewal of the Grade II Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship, missing the track record for seven furlongs by a fifth of a second with a clocking of 1:20 3/5. He ran a half mile in 44 seconds and six furlongs in 1:08 pretty much under a hold.
ELEVENTH RACE – Did STARSHIP GAMBLER get to the lead too soon? She surged to the front in the turn, opened a clear lead, but was nailed late. SWAKOPMUND may have gone too fast too early and did well to finish fifth.
Friday, Feb. 17th
Main track: Fast. Bias: Favored speed.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- BAYONA may have gotten up on the wrong side of the stall this morning. A minute or two before the start of this race, she unseated jockey Paco Lopez. Once reunited, they broke alertly, but soon faded to finish fifth and last.
SECOND RACE --- TAYLOR’S WISE LION rallied from last to win this one, a tactic that usually doesn’t work well at Gulfstream. However, he was aided by a swift (45 1/5 second) half-mile split, especially quick for non-winners of two at the $20,000 claiming level. That and six furlongs in 1:09 3/5 took a toll on early duelers DOLLAR YO and VINO DEL TORO.
THIRD RACE --- CLASSICAL FASHION was a brave runner-up. She dueled for the early lead through quick splits but had little left to resist the favored STARSILHOUETTE.
FOURTH RACE --- This was a match race, a mad dash from the top of the stretch to the wire, between FLY SOUTH and the heavily-favored DON MISIL. The underdog hugged the rail and won by a head. Speed and the inside are consistently best in Hallandale.
FIFTH RACE --- DYNFORMERSDIAMOND’S career debut wasn’t very memorable. He was off slowly and a bit sideways, and then came wide in the stretch turn. Maybe next time.
SIXTH RACE --- Short story here. OURO TEM, the 3-5 favorite, sat third on the backstretch, got in gear leaving the half-mile pole, and cruised to an easy victory after getting the lead at the eighth pole.
SEVENTH RACE --- Top grass rider (not to mention overall leader) Javier Castellano put his infield expertise at work again, making the lead from the No. 12 post and going wire-to-wire. A horse to give a second look upon his return is AWESOMO, who finished sixth. He had trouble finding a clear path to the wire in the stretch.
EIGHTH RACE --- Is there a late-bloomer among us? ROMAN INVASION, a 5-year-old gelding, had won just twice in his 13-race career before today, but he delivered the performance of a lifetime, winning off by 11 ½ lengths and running 7 ½ furlongs in 128 1/5. The track record is 1:27.
NINTH RACE --- LISA JEAN got just what the handicapper ordered – a good old-fashioned cobweb-shaker. Idle since November, she closed well on the rail and then galloped out impressively.
TENTH RACE --- Few (if any) excuses for those defeated by TRULY DEVOTED. She and Julien Leparoux went to the front, backed down the half to 49 seconds, then moved away to a professional score.
Thursday, Feb. 16th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Not a good day for front runners.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- HOLY ROYAL, who stopped badly in a Dec. 8 start on the turf, jumped out of the gate and never looked back today. She was the first of several horses who took advantage of a speed bias on the grass. PROUDROAD TO GLORY did well to rally for second money.
SECOND RACE --- New track, new strategy for runner-up DIMES TO DOLLARS. The Tampa invader, who likes to prompt the pace, came running late to be beaten less than two lengths and then galloped out strongly. AFTERNOON IDOL stumbled at the start, then banged into ROCKY SPRING who bounced off TIGERS WORD.
THIRD RACE --- CAMEO LADY had a rough trip along the inside. She was in a jackpot from the start to the top of the stretch. Maybe next time. Wire-to-wire winner SWEET AND LOWDOWN hung a set of very snappy fractions on the infield toteboard.
FOURTH RACE --- Give jockey Juan Leyva a lot of the credit for TIGLON’S narrow victory in a race that nearly ended up a five-horse dead-heat. They started in the outside No. 9 post, yet won on the rail. FRANKIE RULES was a very brave runner-up.
FIFTH RACE --- CANTONIC was about to bid for the lead between horses at the three-sixteenth pole when a rival to his outside (FUNNY GUY) took away his running space. Under stout restraint to the line, he backed up to finish eighth. Maybe next time.
SIXTH RACE --- CLASS WITH A K pretty much had this race’s six other runners in his pocket turning for home. Then he went to drifting and blew the lead, finishing well out in the middle of the track. Second money wasn’t a comforting consolation.
SEVENTH RACE --- This one was clean as STARSHIP DUCHESS stalked the pace, then swept to victory with a smart two-wide move in the turn. Keep an eye on this filly. She might be ready to start a winning streak.
EIGHTH RACE --- The blinkers came off longshot TOTAL REWARD and he responded with a big effort, rallying in the lane to finish second, beaten just 1 ½ lengths. The price figures to be right again when he runs back.
NINTH RACE --- It’s not enough to pay attention from “they’re off” to the finish line. Sometimes it can be profitable to watch the horses when they’re loaded into the gate. CASU TUA threw a fit prior to her Jan 1 start and ran poorly. Today, she behaved and got the money at odds of 9-1. RUNNING IN CHOOS was very brave on the lead.
TENTH RACE --- How is it that a $35,000 claimer runs the fastest grass race of the day by many lengths? Maybe it’s because he’s worth more than his advertised halter price. BIG FISHERMAN rolled in his career debut, clocked a mile in 1:35 4/5. Following the score it was learned that he was claimed by Eddie Plesa, Jr.
Wednesday, Feb. 15th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Outside speed best.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- With jockey Joe Bravo hanging the slowest half-mile split (48 2/5 seconds) of the day on the wall (by at least five lengths), ANGEL DREAMS was able to go wire-to-wire. HOT LADY, a speed horse, hopped at the break. SHOSHANA was away from the gate sideways.
SECOND RACE --- Although the claiming price was a modest $6,250, this race produced the fastest fractions of the day. The pace may have gotten the best of ROSEBUD’S RIDGE who drifted in the stretch. ALWAYSACONTEST dove inside and grinded her way to victory.
THIRD RACE --- This was a tough beat for NIKKI’S SANDCASTLE, who never saw the inside part of the turf course. He was four or five-wide the entire trip, yet lost by a half-length to HYPER whose ground-saving run netted Javier Castellano his 29th grass score of the meeting, easily tops in the jocks’ room.
FOURTH RACE --- STAGE DELI, idle since early November, was bottled up inside and anxious to run. However, he didn’t get room until the 3/16th pole and then failed to take advantage of it.
FIFTH RACE – Javier Castellano claimed another photo-finish on the grass, urging the favored TOO CLEVER BY HALF to get up in the final stride. The horse to watch out of this race is VINDICATED GHOST. She had a shot at victory, but came up short the final sixteenth of a mile. Being idle since Oct. 6 is her legitimate excuse.
SIXTH RACE --- Not much news here, except to say that horses with outside post positions appear to be getting the jump on their rivals. PLEASANT HYMN started from the outside, No. 10 and was game to the line.
SEVENTH RACE --- Are $20,000 claimers supposed to win this easily or run this fast? TAWARED, winless since August of 2010, went to the front at the break and never looked back. His 1:27 4/5 clocking for seven furlongs on the turf is just a second off the track record.
EIGHTH RACE --- This race came down to geography. TWIN and MEGAMOVE were side-by-side at the three-sixteenth pole. TWIN went to the rail, MEGAMOVE had to bid four-wide and the rest is history . . . TWIN by three-quarters of a length. According to Trakus, MAGAMOVE traveled 18 feet more than TWIN did.
NINTH RACE --- SEA ROAD is a battler. He was widest of all turning for home, but kept grinding. She ended up in a dead-heat for fifth, beaten less than five lengths.
TENTH RACE --- AMERICAN SONG wore blinkers for the first time and may not have cared for them, especially leaving the gate. He bore in badly, appeared unable to relax, and ended up a ho-hum seventh.
Sunday, Feb. 12th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: The rail was dead and closers dominated.
Turf: Good. Bias: It was a very good day for ralliers.
FIRST RACE --- Two strikes and you’re out . . . or not? PROFESSSORPLUMDIDIT, who hesitated at the start in his Jan. 13 career debut, did the same again today. In both outings, he scrambled to finish fourth.
SECOND RACE --- MODULATE was quite determined in her career debut. Last on the backstretch, she looked beat in midstretch, but never quit coming and got up late. STREET LINE looked uncomfortable breaking and racing from the inside.
THIRD RACE --- JUST CHILLIN BOSS’ rider Rajiv Maragh, claimed that his mount was squeezed in midstretch by both race winner ANGEL’S SEA and runner-up TOTEMTALE. The stewards voted thumbs down. What’s interesting was that the accuser dove inside and lost ground. Deep rail? Let’s see how the rest of the day plays out.
FOURTH RACE --- The rail may indeed be dead. THE LAST MEOW was the overwhelming 1-5 betting favorite who rode the rail . . . to a last place finish. FORCE DE LA NATURE was impressive in scrambling for third money after a ragged start.
FIFTH RACE --- Chalk up another win for an outside rallier. TIN PAN INDY, void early, came calling in the middle of the track. He caught RUNNING WILDCAT, who was outside until making the lead where he shifted towards and rail in the two path.
SIXTH RACE --- SABRINA’S DANCE was in total control of this dash on the lawn. She loves the rail and rode it all the way home. RED HOT DOLL may have left her best in the gate where she was over anxious before the break.
SEVENTH RACE --- More proof of a dead rail was provided by CAT CAN DO who rallied four-wide and was up in time by a half-length, and BLACKWELL, who rallied up the inside. PYRAMYST, the 7-5 favorite, rode the rail and ran in place until she got vacated the inside and gained late.
EIGHTH RACE --- JAKESAM went a big trip, first off the rail and then on it down the stretch. He opened up a sizeable lead in the turn and appeared headed for an easy victory but moving to the inside at the 3/16th pole put the decision in doubt until late.
NINTH RACE --- This was pretty clear cut. First-time starter DAME MARIE, under top grass rider Javier Castellano, sat a trip close-up on the backstretch, moved out to duel down the lane, and prevailed in the closing strides.
TENTH RACE --- PELEADORA FUERTE used a stalk-and-strike game plan to rally into the winner’s circle. GORGELICIOUS was brave in defeat. She tried to go wire-to-wire on the rail but the inside bias helped defeat her.
ELEVENTH RACE --- EDEN’S EXCHANGE may have been best. However, she had trouble at the break and had to rally from far back to get second money. Maybe next time.
TWELFTH RACE --- ZOKARION completed an afternoon of turf racing that saw closers dominate the action. He got home with a surge along the rail. VOLCANO RUN was the one caught after rallying from far back following a ragged start.
Saturday, Feb. 11th
Main Track: Sloppy (Sealed) Races 1-4. Good Races 5-12. Bias: Raters and stalkers did best.
Turf: Good. Bias: Edge to closers.
FIRST RACE --- Good jock. Game horse. Whip or no whip. SWEET LITTLE CHEROKEE was locked in a three-horse battle at the eighth pole when leading rider Javier Castellano lost his whip. Not to fear. He went to scrubbing, his mount responded, and they won by a half-length. COOL CAROLINA didn’t have the best of trips.
SECOND RACE --- No excuses for the defeated rivals of GOOD MORNING DIVA, who sat middle of the pack on the backstretch, bid three-wide at the top of the lane, and pulled clear. It was a lively pace, so runner-up MORGAN’S GUERRILLA went a big trip in his career debut.
THIRD RACE --- SPRING HILL FARM thought he’d make it easy on the boss. He went to the lead at the break and stayed there, giving trainer Todd Pletcher an unobstructed view of the 3,000th victory of his career. Fittingly, the milestone winner came at the same track where Pletcher saddled his first winner 16 years ago.
FOURTH RACE --- While Todd Pletcher immediately started working on his next 3,000 winners by sending out stalk-and-strike MAJESTIC NUMBER to a comfortable score, first-timer UMSTEAD, who finished sixth, is worth watching. He was rank after a ragged start, but showed talent by getting into the mix before tiring.
FIFTH RACE --- Horses who stalked enjoyed a good day at Gulfstream, and GOLDEN TICKET, who rated in fourth on the backside, got the dream set-up as three horses took shots at each other until he came charging three-wide at the eighth pole. BRIDGE LOAN, the 3-2 favorite, was double-teamed on the lead and did well to finish third, beaten two markers.
SIXTH RACE --- AMAZING SURPRISE, idle since beaten a neck at Churchill Downs in November, never got comfortable today. She dove inside, then went outside and finally gave up. Maybe next time.
SEVENTH RACE --- Following three soggy race cards, grass racing finally returned. The last time JOINEM got to the wire first, it was over a turf listed as good, just like today’s course. BERGERAC, caught on the wire, went a big trip.
EIGHTH RACE --- The Hutcheson is THUNDER MOCCASIN’S first graded stakes victory. Judging by how he ran, it probably isn’t his last. Quickly becoming an auction ring bargain at $95,000, the A.P. Warrior colt exploded from the 5/16th pole to the wire.
NINTH RACE --- The 67th running of the Suwannee River turned out to be a checkers match between the track’s top two grass riders. Javier Castellano (27 winners) moved first on HIT IT RICH. On his back came Jose Lezcano (18 winners) aboard SNOW TOP MOUNTAIN and they were up for a late victory. The one-two turf punch was worth a $54 exacta.
TENTH RACE --- HYMN BOOK ran true and straight, which is why he won this 56th edition of the Donn Handicap by a nose. MISSION IMPAZIBLE probably should have won, but he drifted down the lane and it cost him. WHERE’S STERLING got beat to running room in midstretch by the winner, which is why he had to settle for fourth money.
ELEVENTH RACE – Jockey Ramon Dominguez rates a big assist for GET STORMY’S wire-to-wire score in the 29th running of the Gulfstream Park Handicap. An opening quarter in a snail-like 25 3/5 seconds, a half in 51 seconds and three quarters in 1:16, did the trick.
TWELFTH RACE --- WHERE IS WILDER was widest of all in the stretch turn, which didn’t help his victory chances. Neither did having his rider drop his whip in the stretch. Third place was a decent finish, but she could have won the place photo with a tap of the stick.
Friday, Feb. 10th
Main Track: Sloppy (Sealed). Bias: Fair.
Turf: For the third consecutive day, all the races (three of them) were moved to the main track.
FIRST RACE --- Although she has yet to win a route race, COOL VIXEN was the odds-on favorite to win the Friday opener and appeared on her way to doing so, but along came the aptly-named AQUA JEAN, who ate up the sloppy going. The victory ended a 29-race losing streak.
SECOND RACE – If you attempt to make sense of every race, you’ll drive yourself crazy. JOYCE AND ME, winner of this $12,500 claiming maiden dash, is a case in point for shrugging off a result here and there. She was beaten by a combined 111 lengths in her first four career starts, but there she was today, splashing to an easy stalk-and-strike score at odds of 54-1.
THIRD RACE --- WILL’S WILDCAT and TAHITIAN WARRIOR tried to dry out a soaked main track with their match race within a race. The former edged the latter by a head but both turned in huge efforts, racing a half-mile in a blistering 44 1/5 seconds and six furlongs in 1:08 4/5 on their way to seven-eighths in 1:15 3/5.
FOURTH RACE --- Picture yourself driving on the freeway in an unrelenting rainstorm. Taxing enough? Now try to wedge the car between two semi-trucks. That’s sort of what jockey Javier Castellano did aboard SHARED HEART in here, squeezing between rivals at the eighth pole and surging to victory.
FIFTH RACE --- Not much to report. SPRINGCOURT, the even-money favorite, lived up to the bettor’s billing by stalking and sweeping to an easy score. The six horses behind him were without excuses.
SIXTH RACE --- He did it last summer and still won, but when RETIRE TO WHAT drifted at the 3/16th pole, BOSSMAN’S BLUE’S, who had chased him from the start, dove inside, then was up late for a neck victory. Both horses were claimed for $8,000, so why cry over an empty stall?
SEVENTH RACE --- ET AL had the trip from hell. Squeezed back three times at the break and early going, he attempted to rally while widest of all in the turn, but tired.
EIGHTH RACE --- CHICKS DIG ME was one of the few horses that won today with a back-of-the pack rally. His effort was aided by a quick pace. STARSHIP FINAL was prominent in the early going and didn’t give up the lead until deep stretch.
NINTH RACE --- This was as easy as it looked. Neither DOILOOKFATNTHESE or jockey Kent Desormeaux were in a hurry. They dawdled on the backstretch, were wide in the turn, and yet drew off to a nine-length laugher in a race with four horses and eight scratches.
TENTH RACE --- This was a bit of strange race. NATALIE’S GOAL and jockey Daniel Centeno appeared to be looking for rivals as they cruised on the lead, but they were wide in the turn and eventually run down late by IVES HILL. It was a long way back to the rest of the field.
Thursday, Feb. 9th
Main Track: Sloppy (Sealed).
Bias: Stalkers had a good day.
Turf: None. For second day, all the races (four of them) were moved to the main track.
FIRST RACE --- DUAL EXHAUZT, beaten a head, ran about as good as a horse who was “double-teamed” can run. After going head-and-head with the favored BELLISSIMA LUNA early, he then dueled to the wire with eventual winner FLYING PEGASUS. As for BELLISSIMA LUNA, she expended some of her energy in the gate where she was fractious.
SECOND RACE --- This band of $15,000 claimers steered clear of the rail on the backstretch, racing no closer than the three to four path. DADDY’S JEWEL, making her wet track debut, rolled in the slop, winning off by 5 ¾ lengths. Wide on the backstretch, she hugged the rail in the homestretch.
THIRD RACE --- TRAVELIN MAN loves the Gulfstream strip so much that even when knocked sideways at the break (like he was today), he responds to win. The victory is his third in four Hallandale starts, including last year’s Grade II Swale. GOLDEN MOKA, who moves up in wet going, gave the winner a good run for his money.
FOURTH RACE --- SON OF A GENERAL, who has had gate issues in his brief career, broke well today. His problem was having to come five-wide in the turn. He gained in the lane, but not enough to win. First-time starter AVENGED lost position when he broke slowly and was quickly covered up by rivals.
FIFTH RACE --- What a way to break one’s maiden in career start No. 8. And, track announcer Larry Collmus summed it up best: “LONGING FOR QUIET . . . by a lot.” The official margin of victory was 15 ¾ lengths – by a horse who entered “main track only.” It was hard finding excuses for her six rivals.
SIXTH RACE --- Any doubt that LEGALIZED is legit should be gone. After winning her career debut at odds of 61-1 on Jan. 6 for $25,000 claiming, she scored in this $35,000 claimer under a hand ride. Already an overachiever (sold at auction for $6,000), the sophomore filly was haltered today by owner Kevin Jacobsen and trainer Diane Alvarado.
SEVENTH RACE – First-time starter MISS MONTREAL got a mud bath and a good racing lesson in finishing second to “in hand” winner BUSTED AGAIN. She didn’t break sharply, but rushed up the inside to get into the mix. Down the stretch, she had to come off the rail to get around a tiring rival.
EIGHTH RACE --- This was a wild one. STAT, the overwhelming 1-5 betting choice, broke in the air, then raced wide the entire trip. He ended up fourth. MAAN won the race, but looked beat in the turn when he fell back from third to sixth. BLINGS EXPRESS could have won, but he bore out badly the final sixteenth and was beaten a half-length.
NINTH RACE --- We’ll never know if SALARY DRIVE was going to surge between the rail and CANADIAN MISTRESS on her way to victory, but when sawed off at the 5/16th pole, she retreated to be a well-beaten third. CANADIAN MISTRESS was disqualified, making runner-up SEA LEVEL DRIVE, the lucky winner.
TENTH RACE --- LINDY HOP ended a wet afternoon in the winner’s circle after receiving a patient ride by Rajiv Maragh. They were covered up most of the way, but got out at the top of the line and used a grinding rally to prevail.
Wednesday, Feb. 8th
Main Track: Sloppy (Sealed) Races 1 thru 5. Good: Races 6-11. Bias: Speedsters and stalkers dominated.
Turf: None. Five races moved to main track.
FIRST RACE --- It took 44 race days (and a lot of rain) but, for the first time this season, a program started with a sloppy track. PHOTON, beaten a half-length, ran a curious race. Usually on or near the pace, today he broke alertly, quickly fell back, then uncorked a rally from near the back of the pack. Perhaps it took him time to get his footing.
SECOND RACE --- The daily double nightcap was clean. The winner, BEARLY ENOUGH, did the same thing the first race winner did --- go wire-to-wire from the No. 1 post.
THIRD RACE --- TURBO TWEAKED has a new best friend – a sloppy track. After nine career starts that resulted in one runner-up and five third place finishers, she dueled, retreated in the turn, and then re-rallied to break her maiden.
FOURTH RACE --- A sloppy track is quickly turning into a playground for front-runners. MAJESTIC EXPRESS, first away from the gate, keep going until he hit the wire 11 ¼ lengths to the good. He’s also a candidate for claim of the winter. Haltered for $16,000 at Calder, this starter allowance victory (off the claim) was worth $21,700.
FIFTH RACE --- JOJO’S MOJO, despite drawing the No. 12 post in this 1 1/16-mile race, was the 5-2 betting favorite. The outside was too much to overcome. He was wide on both turns. Race winner SURGE POWER beat the speed bias with a rally from the middle of the pack.
SIXTH RACE --- The connections of THE LAURELS entered him to run on the grass, but the rains sent the race to the main track. There were seven scratches and he wasn’t one of them. Instead, the 4-year-old gelding broke his maiden in a game effort on the rail. It followed five turf defeats.
SEVENTH RACE --- STING BOY found himself the perfect storm – a wet track at Gulfstream Park. Today’s stalk-and-strike victory is his third in four career starts in wet going. It also leaves him perfect in two Hallandale main course starts.
EIGHTH RACE --- HEAVY BREATHING, a romping winner at first career asking, may end up being a stakes star, but also keep an eye on runner-up ARTHUR. He got involved in the race’s hot pace and did well to finish second.
NINTH RACE --- Was it drying out track? How about a new trainer in Marcial Navarro? Second time bandages off? Maybe it was that bullet workout on Feb. 1? Whatever, it was WHO IS CAMILLE melted the toteboard by scoring at odds of 41-1.
TENTH RACE --- GLAMOUR N GLORY, much more comfortable on the grass, stayed in this race after it moved to the main track. She was left with too much to do when wide on both turns.
ELEVENTH RACE --- First-time starter ENGLISH MAJOR had to contend with the rail post. He didn’t break sharply, yet put in a solid run for second money.
Sunday, Feb. 5th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speedsters and stalkers crushed their rivals.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- GAL NEXT DOOR failed by three-quarters of a length of running down pacesetting CITY GIFT. The reason might be the subtle drifting by the winner in midstretch. It had the runner-up altering course a bit to remain clear. CORAL SANDS took a pretty solid body shot at the break.
SECOND RACE --- CHISELED LIGHT, a wire-to-wire winner against lesser rivals in his previous start, may not have cared for having to start from the rail post. He was away slowly and played catch-up to finish third.
THIRD RACE --- UNBRIDLED HEAT’S margin of victory was just 1 ½ lengths, but he was handled with great confidence by jockey John Velazquez. Their six furlong split of 1:09 4/5 was sizzling, en route to seven furlongs in 1:23. The day’s next fastest three-quarters of a mile clocking was 1:11.
FOURTH RACE --- First time Todd Pletcher is an overwhelming handicapping factor. Gulfstream’s leading trainer is banking over 30 percent with shedrow newcomers and ENDER KNIEVEL is the latest success story, a 7 ¾-length romping winner.
FIFTH RACE --- BAYONA became the first horse Sunday to win from off the pace, but not exactly from the parking lot. She and Paco Lopez had to be alert to dive to the inside in the stretch as front runner and eventual runner-up STARSHIP SURPRISE zigzagged her way home. OUR PLUM PUDDING tried to rally up the rail but appeared to get claustrophobic.
SIXTH RACE --- Gulfstream’s main track, like it has all week, was turning orphans into horses who live by the rally. They had very little chance of winning, most of them losing ground in the stretch turn. WAIT TIL DAWN, used a stalk-and-strike maneuver to draw off late.
SEVENTH RACE --- The margin of victory was a nose, but the difference was really jockey Ryan Curatolo, who not only saved ground aboard STREET GAME, but split foes in midstretch to edge a middle-of-the-track PLEAD. It was a super ride (and training job by Phil Serpe) on a horse idle since Aug. 12.
EIGHTH RACE --- Racing can be a game of noses and necks, especially on the grass. The slight margins were not kind to veteran rider Edgar Prado on the Sabbath. He lost the previous race by a nose and failed here by a head as BAY HEAD BEAUTY caught NIGHT BRIGADE late. The race featured the fastest turf fractions of the day.
NINTH RACE --- BAHAMIAN SQUALL, a first-time starter, may have been the day’s most impressive main track winner. Beating the track bias, he rallied from the middle of the pack with an inside-out move to wear down a very stubborn CLOSERWALK who put up very quick fractions.
TENTH RACE --- Put EXOTHERMIC in your horses to watch notebook. But don’t expect any more juicy prices. He won his Dec. 29 career debut at odds of 58-1 and came right back today to score at odds of 5-1.
ELEVENTH RACE --- SURELY IRISH, another horse with good gate speed, used a mild rally to close out a tough week for closers. NERVOUS NELL did put in a good run to gain second money but was up against the bias.
Saturday, Feb. 4th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed horses dominated.
Turf: Good. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- Jason Servis continues as king of the “first time out after being claimed” conditioners. GANGSTERONTHERUN, his latest project, was an easy winner (and was again haltered. Nonetheless, Servis, according to DRF, is winning at nearly a 50 percent clip off a claim (11 for 23). WILD EXPECTATIONS continues to have traffic woes leaving the gate.
SECOND RACE --- Speed rolls on Gulfstream’s dirt course as TODD GOT EVEN, despite being idle since late October, contested the pace until the eighth pole before drawing clear. He is a horse with a memory, too, winning in Hallandale for the fourth time in nine starts.
THIRD RACE --- Has MUSICAL FLAIR convinced his connections to leave him in the infield of North America’s leading tracks? His driving score in this edition of the Needles is his second stakes success in as many grass starts. Three dirt tries have resulted in one win and two double-digit beats.
FOURTH RACE --- SUENO D’ORO, third beaten 1 ¾ lengths, could have been closer, but she bore out while deep rallying winner PARANDA bore in and the two kissed at the eighth pole. First-time starter FRIVOLOUS ALEX closed well and galloped out even better.
FIFTH RACE --- BELOVEDA was the 6-5 favorite, but you could have gotten more generous odds at the quarter pole regarding her victory chances. Squeezed back to fifth in traffic, she looked defeated but rallied with an inside-out rally to score going away. SUPERSONIC BEAUTY took up at the 3/8th pole, then recovered to bid before tiring.
SIXTH RACE --- HOTHERSAL was beaten a half-length but he went a big trip, especially for a horse that hadn’t run in a year. Look out next time out.
SEVENTH RACE --- Not much to report here. BUMPY GIN zoomed up the inside leaving the chute to make the lead and was in total control from the inside.
EIGHTH RACE --- Live by the trip, die by the trip. Jockey Joe Bravo, enjoying a big winter on the Gulfstream turf course, attempted to save ground on even-money favorite ELEVEN FINAL FOURS but found himself caught in heavy traffic in the stretch. Another who had a rough trip was P.L. HENRY, squeezed at the sixteenth pole.
NINTH RACE --- First start in the country was a slow start for WENT THE DAY WELL. However, the English import came running in the stretch, four wide and gaining. TEETH OF THE DOG, the wire-to-wire winner, was very game, without a breather from the gate to the line.
TENTH RACE --- FINDING NEVERLAND, for a horse who hadn’t run since October in France, made a smart run down the stretch. She was beaten less than three lengths.
ELEVENTH RACE --- BRIAN turned in a very professional effort, winning the finale with a stalk-and-strike game plan. Those behind him were without excuses.
Friday, Feb. 3rd
Main Track: Fast for Race 1 & 2. Fast (Sealed) for Race 4. Wet fast for Races 5 thru 7. Good 8 thru 10. Bias: Speed dominated.
Turf: Firm for Race 3, then off the turf for races for races 7, 8 and 10. Bias: One race is not enough action to make changes and still get down.
FIRST RACE --- For the third day in row, speed and inside runners were off and running. AINSLEY disputed the pace, then got clear at the 5/16th pole and won off by 15 lengths. That made PEDACITOS’ wide rally for third a big effort.
SECOND RACE – DREAMING OF LIES joins the club of rushing to the front in the early running and crushing his rivals in heavy rain. The margin was 6 ¾ lengths and could have been more but he got away from the gate poorly. UNTAMEABLE put in a good run against the bias.
THIRD RACE --- LIFE’S CANDY had a difficult trip in the day’s lone turf race that was run in a steady rain. Away from the gate off-balance, she was last on the backside behind a wall of rivals. Once clear, she surged to lose a three-horse photo for second.
FOURTH RACE --- The main track was listed as fast (sealed) but it seemed to make little difference to the bias that embraced speed horses. LAVA GIRL used a stalk-and-strike game plan to win easily. TWICE THE LADY was impressive, rallying from well off the pace to be second, even switching off the rail in midstretch.
FIFTH RACE --- Chalk up another winner by a horse who springs from the gate either on the lead or right off it. This time it was LAUGHTER, who hadn’t started since Memorial Day weekend. He won by 6¼ markers. Even though he was beaten double-digit lengths, ONE WORD, a first-time starter, did well to rally to be fourth.
SIXTH RACE --- ADELA’S SONG broke the stranglehold that front-runners enjoyed by dropping back at the half-mile pole, rallying in the turn, and grinding out a victory. STARSHIP TRUFFLES was away slowly and rates another look on her return.
SEVENTH RACE – NEW MONEY posted a pair of encouraging third place finishes late last year at Calder and worked three furlongs in 35 1/5 last week, but nothing that would signal this monster effort. Not only did she break her maiden by 11 ¼ lengths, she ran five furlongs over a wet fast track in 57 1/5 seconds, just a second off the track record. And to think this race was switched from the turf to the main track.
EIGHTH RACE --- THE DEACONATOR is two-for-two and not in a good way. Slammed in the stretch of his career debut in late December, he took another shot today, this time leaving the gate. A recovery rally carried him to fourth place over a speed-favoring surface.
NINTH RACE --- Is EMCEE a late bloomer headed for stakes action? Unraced last year until the fall of his three-year-old campaign (he hit the gate and still won by 4 ½ lengths, the Unbridled’s Song colt scorched a Gulfstream strip labeled “good” by romping by six lengths and stopping the timer at 1:20 4/5 for seven furlongs, two-fifths off the track record.
TENTH RACE --- CAT CAN DO beat the bias against closers when she rallied from last to shade ARSENAL who overcame traffic to be second, but was flagged for sawing off a rival (MORE IS BETTER) in deep stretch.
Thursday, Feb. 2nd
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed and rail dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- The 8-5 favorite CORBINS VILLAGE was more interested in heading back up the main track that racing forward in this six furlong dash. Jockey John Velazquez straightened her out but third place was the best they could do.
SECOND RACE --- It’s not easy to better a 7 ¼-length victory, but that’s exactly what DARK BAY did. He rallied to win this optional claimer by 7 ¾ lengths after romping here three weeks ago for $12,500 claiming. His 1:09 4/5 clocking for six furlongs was easily the quickest sprint of the day.
THIRD RACE --- It appears that Wednesday’s rail and speed bias has stuck around. WILLY ELLIOT roared to the lead from the one hole and romped in this mile test. Like the first winners on the card, the margin was a clear one, seven lengths.
FOURTH RACE – The king of Gulfstream Park’s turf course has no quit in him. Javier Castellano and first-time starter FARETTI looked beat in the stretch but caught FAST N FURIUS CAT on the wire. The victory was Castellano’s 26th on the turf, easily the leader of the pack.
FIFTH RACE --- MAYVILLE (fourth) and FLATTERING IRENE may have excused. Their riders checked shortly after leaving the gate when a rival to their outside bore in big time. BLUE DISTINCTION was a runaway winner on the lead, making for more evidence of the speed bias.
SIXTH RACE --- Add RAINY RAIN to the list of Thursday front runners who ended up the winner’s circle. That said, TWIN CITIES and IN CONTROL LORETTA put in big runs from the back of the pack to finish second and third, respectively.
SEVENTH RACE --- This cleanly run race was won by BWANA BRAVE who was due for a bit of racing luck. He had near-miss efforts in his first two starts and is has now hit the board in all five of his Gulfstream turf starts.
EIGHTH RACE --- Keep an eye on UNION BOSS. Not only did she win this 50K maiden claimer at first career asking, she ran 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03 3/5, one of the fastest 5 ½ furlong clockings of the meeting. EMMA’S ENCORE fought the track bias by putting in a good run from well off the pace to be third.
NINTH RACE --- Either trainer Brian Lynch and jockey Elvis Trujillo (or both) decided to switch tactics with TEN K CAT. They sent her to the front (for the first time in nine career starts) and she responded to go wire-to-wire. LADY HADDASSAH put in a solid run for second.
TENTH RACE -- More Javier Castellano on the grass more often. Gulfstream’s leading turf rider scored his second infield victory of the day when he throttled down PECKY’S BOY a half-mile in 48 3/5 seconds, then moved away for an easy score. It was Castellano’s 27th turf victory in 40 days of the meeting. Runner-up GRAND REALITY was strong in the stretch.
Wednesday, Feb. 1st
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed on the rail was key to victory.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Speedsters and stalkers did best.
FIRST RACE --- Could steadying in the upper stretch turn have cost RED MASERATI a victory. He lost to a game front-running HARBOR BREEZE by just three-quarters of a length. CUBAHATUEY stumbled at the break then rushed up to duel the winner through the fastest fractions of the day.
SECOND RACE --- FIVE STAR DAVE, just like the first race winner, jumped to the front, hugged the rail and moved off to an easy score. Could Gulfstream’s dirt course be starting the week with an inside speed bias?
THIRD RACE – LINDAU, the 8-5 favorite, made it tough on himself by rearing at the break and bearing out severely. He ended up an unsatisfying third. HEAVY DUTY was crushed at the break and did well to finish fourth.
FOURTH RACE --- Four races and four front-running winners, three of them on the rail. ENDORSEMENT was the easiest of the quartet, romping in what looked like an afternoon workout. ROCKING OUT lost all chance at the break when TELLUM BERTO stepped in front of him at the start.
FIFTH RACE --- RULE NUMBER SIX came within a head of making the majority of us railbirds look a bit silly. The sophomore colt broke his maiden on Gulfstream’s main course two weeks ago at odds of 14-1. He switched to the grass course but for the same $25,000 claiming price as the Jan. 15 win and lost by a head . . . at 87-1.
SIXTH RACE --- ABDEL’S GHOST closed the deal – the speed on the rail is the way to go today. He went to the inside from the break and turned back all challengers. DIXIE SLAM was an unlucky warrior. Sawed off at the break (his third trouble line in as many starts), he managed to scramble to finish third.
SEVENTH RACE – GATOR’S TRACKS finished eighth but could have been closer. Runner-up FRIENDLY SELECTION forced him to check hard in upper stretch. The violator paid the ultimate price, disqualified to eighth.
EIGHTH RACE --- MACANUDA, judging by recent efforts, appeared to be rounding into form. But she had a tough day at the office, being squeezed at the break and then racing wide. Maybe next time.
NINTH RACE --- Put SCAT HAPPY on your “horses to watch list.” The sophomore colt was crushed at the break in his career debut but played catch-up, rallying to be third, beaten just 3 ½ lengths.
TENTH RACE --- Runner-up PRINCESS MALIA took a body shot at the break, yet made the lead in stretch and was beaten less than a length. SALVAR and STARSHIP MELODY both tired from wide trips.
Sunday, Jan. 29th
Main Track: Fast for races 1 thru 5; Good for race 7; Sloppy races 8 thru 11. BIAS: Deep closers had little chance of winning, especially when the rains hit.
Turf: Firm for races 3 & 4; Good for race 6. Off turf for races 8 & 11. Bias: Speed best.
FIRST RACE --- DEVOTED WILDCAT and OUR MR. BUD were first and second, respectively, at the wire and in each other’s way at the start and finish. They traded bumps at the gate as well as in midstretch. DISTORT THIS was caught in traffic and did well to be fourth.
SECOND RACE --- When trainer Jason Servis claims a horse, reach for your wallet and be ready to wager on his newest pupil. DIXIE BAND, haltered on Dec. 17, rallied from midpack to be up on the line. It raised Servis’ first time success rate with new additions to over 40 percent. The speedy DOUBLE JUDGE broke slowly, caught his rivals, but tired.
THIRD RACE --- Track announcer Larry Collmus said it best, “Aqsaam is special. She wins again.” The 4-year-old Dynaformer filly remained unbeaten in three career starts in the most unconventional way. After zooming to the lead, she raced wide in the turns, surrendered the lead in the stretch, then reclaimed it near the finish.
FOURTH RACE --- MODEST, idle since last March, went wire-to-wire to win by a neck. It’s a result we’ve all but come to expect from the Kiaran McLaughlin barn. The veteran trainer scores at a 30-plus percent success rate with horses off half-year or more layoffs. Keep an eye on HARDROCKER, beaten a neck. He nearly overcame a major class hike.
FIFTH RACE --- TREND SETTER, following a slow start from the rail, put in a solid rally and was beaten less than three lengths. Ahead of him, winner SEVE and runner-up UNBRIDLED FIRE slammed each other silly in midstretch.
SIXTH RACE --- PAT’S KITTEN went a big trip. Pickled at the break, she put in a strong rally while wide of all rivals. At the line, her margin of defeat was less than two lengths.
SEVENTH RACE --- EL PADRINO produced a sparkling effort in his return to the races by running down TAKE CHARGE INDY. The runner-up turned in a bit of puzzling performance, opening up a sizeable lead in the turn and looking for competition, but faltering in the lane. Perhaps he was in need of the start.
EIGHTH RACE --- COUP’S stalk-and-strike triumph was one for the books. It was the first race of the meeting (on day No. 38) to be run on a sloppy track. Taken off the turf, there were more scratches (eight) than starters (seven).
NINTH RACE --- Free-wheeling GOOD DEED never got a chance to do any running after breaking slowly from the inside and finding herself buried on the rail. It may not have mattered. BROADWAY’S ALIBI scorched seven furlongs in 1:21 4/5 to win the Forward Gal. She did drift noticeably in the lane. Still, the winning margin was 16 ¾ lengths.
TENTH RACE --- Juvenile champion HANSEN is no longer unbeaten. ALGORITHMS, the horse who caught him, continues perfect in three starts. A bobble at the break didn’t help the Breeders’ Cup winner. He quickly zoomed to the lead, opened a sizeable lead, but it was one he couldn’t protect.
ELEVENTH RACE --- Put FLY ANGEL FLY in your notebook of horses to bet when back in the entries. The chestnut mare went to the lead at the break and turned this race into a public workout.
Saturday, Jan. 28th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed and stalkers dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- Study the chart of this race, and one might think that WIDE RECEIVER would be swallowed up by THE 3-2 favorite BEST ACT in the closing strides. Not true. The front-runner was not going to be passed by the runner-up who now has back-to-back half-length near-misses.
SECOND RACE --- QUICK WIT was a very impressive maiden winner, especially after rating in the early running and uncorking a no-prisoners rally. But don’t overlook the effort by runner-up MONARCHIC. He disputed the pace and gave the winner a run for the money until the sixteenth pole.
THIRD RACE --- NEWSDAD’S runaway victory (by 6 ¾ lengths) in this mini-marathon may have had more to do with brainpower than horsepower. With the exception of one start, the 4-year-old colt had never led before the wire, yet jockey Julien Leparoux put the Bill Mott-trainee on the engine shortly after the gates open and the race was over.
FOURTH RACE --- The early fractions were very quick and took their toll on frontrunners LAST WORD and A BRILLIANT IDEA. Still, they were beaten only five lengths. Their work set up a winning rally and a sizzling final time (1:39 4/4 for 1 1/16 miles) for NAMASKARA.
FIFTH RACE --- It is a very tall order for a horse to “win back” a $2.3 million auction ring price, but unbeaten AWESOME FEATHER is giving it one heck of a shot. She won this edition of the Sunshine Millions Distaff in a dominating performance, giving her nine victories and $1.8 million in earnings.
SIXTH RACE --- IT’S ME MOM is going about as well as a horse can go. After crushing two fields of fillies at Tampa Bay Downs, she shipped down to do the same to a field of graded stakes winners in the Sunshine Millions F & M Sprint by 6 ¾ lengths. Her 1:08 4/5 clocking for six furlongs was two-fifths of a second faster than the male counterparts would run a half-hour later.
SEVENTH RACE --- With the main track favoring speedster and stalkers, SOARING STOCKS and CAJUN BREEZE, the one-two finishers in this Sunshine Millions Sprint, went big trips. The winner broke a little slowly and had to be hustled, while the runner-up put in a huge rally between rivals.
EIGHTH RACE --- HOOH WHY must be an easy going mare. In her last 10 starts she has had seven different jockeys and seven trainer changes. She rallied to run down dueling Speak Easy Girl and the favored ROMACACA to upset the Sunshine Millions F & M Turf.
NINTH RACE --- Veteran jockey Joe Bravo has been enjoying a big winter (11 victories) on the Gulfstream Park turf course. He played a major role in getting LITTLE MIKE to last on the lead going 1 1/8 miles in this Sunshine Millions Turf. The secret was Bravo backing down the half-mile split to 48 seconds.
TENTH RACE --- MUCHO MACHO MAN took advantage of the speed-biased Gulfstream main stretch to stalk and then strike in winning the Sunshine Millions Classic in a very professional effort. Another horse who deserves an “atta boy” is runner-up RON THE GREEK, who dropped back in the turn, yet put in a good stretch run.
ELEVENTH RACE --- ZULU WARRIOR stalked the pace in his first two grass starts. He didn’t get a chance today when he was muscled to the back of the pack by ornery rivals. That he recovered to finish fifth was quite an accomplishment.
Friday, Jan. 27th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers were crushing, with the exception of the sprint.
FIRST RACE --- A bit of strange but successful trip for BE WELCOME. He went from stalking the pace to falling back to fifth between rivals in the turn, yet swung outside and surged to victory. RAGING SIX recovered from a ragged start to rally from last to be beaten less than three lengths.
SECOND RACE --- TOP OF THE HUB, a speed horse, was taken out of his game at the break when rivals on each side made a sandwich of him. He recovered to rally from ninth to fourth, but victory was out of the question.
THIRD RACE --- This dash was clear of trouble, but the infield toteboard and a hotel on the Vegas strip shook a little when FREDDY THE CAP won at odds of 30-1. At 10, the oldest horse in the field, he stopped a three-year losing streak. His triumph came in the first mandatory race in the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship.
FOURTH RACE --- As graded stakes winners, BOYS AT TOSCONOVA and GROUPIE DOLL got away with stopwatch murder in running the opening half-mile in 47 1/5 after a first quarter in 24 3/5. They sprinted away from their rivals with the colt defeating the filly in brave displays by both.
FIFTH RACE --- Running the opening quarter of a mile in 21 1/5 seconds took its toll on BLING BLING GIRL. She drifted in deep stretch to be beaten less than a length. EASY ASHLEY had an adventurous trip. Close up early on the rail, she sagged to fifth in the turn, then rallied wide to finish second, beaten a half-length.
SIXTH RACE --- Runner-up MISS QUISQUEYA and show finisher XUNLEI had bump-and-run trips, yet were going well at the end. Both were longshots against heavy favorite and easy winner TABLE THREE TEN.
SEVENTH RACE --- This was a wild one with first-time starter SHEZI all but blowing the first turn (taking two rivals with him), then coming within a half-length of going wire-to-wire after setting very fast fractions. The favored CASCINA was eliminated shortly after the break when she clipped heels and nearly unseated her rider.
EIGHTH RACE --- Jockey Joe Bravo, enjoying a big winter on the Gulfstream grass course, delivered a very daring ride to get WAQUOIT’S DANCE to the winner’s circle. Trapped in upper stretch, he squeezed his mount between rivals and the rail and prevailed by a half-length.
NINTH RACE --- With the exception of the five furlong dash, Gulfstream Park’s turf course was tipped heavily to closers. That makes the third place effort by front-running GAELIC STORM, beaten just three-quarters of a length, a sparkler. UFFIZI, off at 110-1, also ran big. He was fourth, beaten a little over two lengths.
TENTH RACE --- PINAFRA went a big trip, especially after running into tight quarters, clipping heels, and almost losing its rider. She finished third, beaten less than four lengths.
Thursday, Jan. 26th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: The rail was very suspect.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- A formful start to the day. D’MARIN, pounded down to 2-5, was an easy stalk-and-strike winner. This was a very spread out band of $12,500 claimers with the gap between the winner and the fourth place horse being 22 ¾ lengths.
SECOND RACE --- An extreme outsider – the 116-1 shot ELISSA’SROYALIMAGE – played a role in deciding this race as he dueled and helped soften up the 2-5 favorite FEDERAL EXCHANGE for the late charges of 1-2 finishers HURLING and UNO AGAIN.
THIRD RACE --- Hot horse? Maybe. Hot jock? For sure. Edgar Prado completed a sweep of the early Pick 3 ($85.40) when he rallied D’ORO PRINCESS to a narrow victory. MIRIMICHI BABE, idle for two months, appeared to get a lot out of this effort.
FOURTH RACE --- This was the fourth of six dirt races on the Thursday card and it sure appears that going to the front from the gate is not the best way to wind up in the winner’s circle. The 5 ½ furlong dash did feature the fastest half mile split (45 4/5) of the day, which helped late-charging WILDCAT SPECIAL get home first.
FIFTH RACE --- NEVADA JAK was pretty much eliminated at the break when he was sandwiched between rivals. PUT HER BACK ZACH rallied to victory in the middle of the track. He wasn’t the first to do so Thursday, raising the possibility that the rail was dead.
SIXTH RACE --- Not much here. DUCHESS OF DOOM went to the front and never looked back. The 1:42 1/5 for 1 1/16 miles on the grass was quick for $30,000 “non-winners of three races lifetime.”
SEVENTH RACE --- Keep an eye on THE RAHY ANGEL. Rocketed to the lead and the rail from the 12 hole by top grass rider Javier Castellano, she ran 7 ½ furlongs in a very snappy 1:28 2/5, including six furlongs in 1:10 2/5.
EIGHTH RACE --- CHISELED LIGHT and apprentice jockey Camila Soto broke the bias against front-runners but they stayed well clear of the rail. In fact, they drifted so far from it in the last sixteenth, their rivals made a race of it.
NINTH RACE --- ST. PANCRAS lives to fight another day. She was sawed off along the rail when getting up a head of steam on the backstretch and fell back quickly. That said, ALMUSAFA, the runaway winner on a late surge, was very impressive.
TENTH RACE --- PARTLY MOCHA took to the turf in his first time on grass, rating and rallying into the winner’s circle, but those who backed first-time starter BAD BOY BURNIE must have jumped out of their skin when the 74-1 shot rallied up the inside turning for home. Unfortunately, he ran into a wall of rivals and settled for fourth money.
Wednesday, Jan. 25th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed horses dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers had the edge,
FIRST RACE --- STARSHIP GAMBLER took a body blow leaving the gate, but put in a strong rally to earn second money in her career debut.
SECOND RACE --- AFLEET LASS is winning machine. This victory, her fourth in a row, is also her 10th in 24 career outings. The running time of 1:09 4/5 seconds is the fastest six furlong clocking since Jan. 12. That makes the late run of runner-up WYATT’S WOMEN quite impressive.
THIRD RACE --- EDGE AHEAD got the money, but HOLY CRUSADER and RUNAWAYEIGHTYFOUR did the heavy lifting, dueling from the gate to the wire. They failed to hang on by a neck and a nose.
FOURTH RACE --- SASSIDY put in a strong rally from the far outside, but it’s hard to get excited about near-miss effort. It resulted in her sixth runner-up finish in 19 career starts. A gal for the gimmicks, for sure, but not so much a win wager?
FIFTH RACE --- HERECOMESEVERYMAN was spectacular in blasting his way to an easy victory in very fast (1:29) for 7 ½ furlongs on the turf, but behind him DREAM OF PERTH and CANWEWIN were stopped in their tracks by a bearing out rival in midstretch.
SIXTH RACE --- The race was clean as SWEET LIL CHEROKEE zoomed from the 12 hole and went wire-to-wire. There may have been more excitement in the racing office. Five of the 12 entrants (but not the winner) were haltered for the $6,250 asking price.
SEVENTH RACE --- SCOOTLES went wire-to-wire at Gulfstream on Dec. 30. That was at 7 ½ furlongs. Today, she tried a full mile and missed by less than a length. The effort came over a grass course favoring closers.
EIGHTH RACE --- JUST CHILLIN BOSS has been unlucky in two Gulfstream starts. A month ago, it was the bugaboo of the No. 1 post. Today, it was traffic on the turf. That said, he was surging late.
NINTH RACE --- Is it the equipment change or the jockey? Perhaps both. WAYWARD SAILOR, fitted with blinkers and Javier Castellano for the first time two starts back, won for the second time in as many Gulfstream tries. Castellano was probably the difference today. He slowed the pace to a crawl, getting the half in 49 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.
TENTH RACE --- He’s got ability, but TRUENO JAK has to learn how to break more cleanly from the gate. He was away slowly again (just like in his first three starts) and was forced to play catch up, which he did, finishing a bang-up second.
Sunday, Jan. 22nd
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speedsters and stalkers had the better of it.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Speed and stalkers dominated.
FIRST RACE --- D’NEXT EXPERIENCE packed a lot into this victory. Most of it won’t be in a highlight video. He bore out and banged a rival at the break, made the lead, and held it while drifting out badly. RINUNCIO BOBO missed by a neck and covered much more than the required 6 ½ furlongs.
SECOND RACE – Not much to write home about in this one. MISS MARY FINN sat behind dueling GODDES OF FORTUNE and KIOWA, then blew by them on her way to a very easy score.
THIRD RACE --- Jockey Luis Saez deserves a lot of credit for JUST FOR FRANK’S victory, even though the even-money favorite romped by six lengths. Early on, an ornery rival tightened up the winner along with ILLICIT LOVER. It could have gotten ugly, but Saez pulled up and out of the jam.
FOURTH RACE --- Could this be one of those rare days when speed is good on the turf? DR.TOM G and jockey Joe Bravo went to the lead at the break, opened a big lead on the backstretch, and then nursed it to win by a half-length. TAPAWAY had the trip from hell, racing wide and steadying at least twice.
FIFTH RACE --- SIMBA’S STORY is a battler and he proved it today. First away, he dueled, stalked and fell back in the turn. Yet he surged between rivals late and overcame a series of bumps. DEVON ROCK, despite racing on his wrong lead, was game to the end and may have been squeezed back to fourth.
SIXTH RACE --- CHEIMON offered convincing evidence that speed indeed is the preferred style of running over the turf course that embraced front-runners. He battled for the lead from start to finish and was extremely game in the final 16th to hold safe three rivals. MARLIN MISSION checked in deep stretch while in full stride.
SEVENTH RACE --- EMPTY HANDED and SUAVE JAZZ, the one-two finishers, along with SUBTITLES back in fourth, hung up quick fractions, especially for $6,250 claimers. AFLEET MAGIC took a body shot leaving the gate and did well to scramble to be beaten less than five lengths.
EIGHTH RACE --- MONUMENT HILL stalked and surged in the turn to take advantage of the speed-tipped turf course, but CLEAR ATTEMPT wasn’t as lucky as he was buried inside until late. Once clear, he zoomed for runner-up money.
NINTH RACE --- ZO IMPRESSIVE was so impressive, winning her career debut by 6 ¼ lengths, but don’t overlook the effort of runner-up MORROW COVE who roared down the lane to be second.
TENTH RACE --- DAYATTHESPA flashed speed in her three career starts, but switched strategies today. She rallied from far back to beat the speed bias as well as seven rivals in the 19th running of the Sweetest Chant. The fractions were lively, so much so they wiped out the front-runners.
ELEVENTH RACE --- Joe Bravo, aboard the speedy CHANGE OF COMMAND, figured in the early going that the three pacesetters were putting up fractions similar to those in the Sweetest Chant stakes race. And these were $30,000 claimers. Bravo waited, then rallied to the winner’s circle. HUGO LIGHT, one of the frontrunners, was impressive in hanging on for third.
Saturday, Jan. 21st
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair (but no wire-to-wire winners)
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- Trainer Nick Canani’s Team Calabrese executed a perfect two-horse entry strategy to win the opener. COACH GRAVY made the pace and DON MISIL was along to pick up the victory with a strong rally.
SECOND RACE --- HAUNTED, idle since Labor Day weekend in Jersey, was full of himself running six furlongs in 1:10 4/5 and winning off by nine lengths. The fractions were quick, so give pacesetter FOOTWEDGE another look when he returns.
THIRD RACE --- This grassy mile was run as clean as a retired ref’s whistle. Give jockey Joe Bravo a big assist for getting BRAMPTON home with a late surge. The veteran mare wanted the lead, but Bravo kept her in reserve until turning for home.
FOURTH RACE – The horses were 1-2 in the betting and their jockeys were 1-2 in the grass riding standings. At the wire, it was CENTER DIVIDER and Javier Castellano by a neck over MOBILIZER and Jose Lezcano. It was Castellano’s 20th turf win of the meeting. Lezcano is second with 15.
FIFTH RACE --- KIPPERS N’ EGGS, third choice in the betting but idle since early December in Philly, didn’t run his race. He could make amends second time out.
SIXTH RACE --- Julien Leparoux is heating up in the Gulfstream infield. By coaxing GODARD to rally from far back for a nose decision over PUNCTUAL JEFF, he recorded his fourth turf score in three days, He would add a fifth in the eighth race. Leaving this guy off your gimmick tickets could be dangerous to your wallet.
SEVENTH RACE -- On a card that didn’t produce a single wire-to-wire winner, DANGEROUS TRICK went a big trip. After bouncing off a rival leaving the gate, he set fast fractions and tired only in the late going.
EIGHTH RACE – Hot jocks always make the right move. Julien Leparoux earned his fifth grass success in three days (and third win in a row on the card) when he dove back to the rail at the eighth pole aboard MINISTER COLIN. Their margin of victory after 1 ½ miles? A mere nose over late-charging VAMOS A VER.
NINTH RACE --- There was no shame for Z VILNA to be runner-up to runaway winner LIBERTY BOUND, especially since we’re talking about stablemates. The race was quick and Z VILNA was wide after a slight starting gate stumble.
TENTH RACE --- How hot is HOWE GREAT? By blasting to his second consecutive Gulfstream Park score, he ran the second fastest 1 1/16 miles on the grass of the meeting (1:40 2/5). Owners Team Valor and trainer Graham Motion may be hotter. They also sent out runner-up LUCKY CHAPPY.
ELEVENTH RACE --- NUBE DE AGUA may have been a bit too eager to make the lead in her career debut, but why complain? She was 53-1 and ran huge to finish second. Look out next time.
Friday, Jan. 20th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- BOSTONIAN CAT ran about as game as a horse can run. So what’s new? The sophomore filly, beaten a neck, has now run second or third in seven of her 11 career starts. She’s a talented tease, but still a maiden.
SECOND RACE --- HEIR TO DARE took the better part of a year off. The rest worked wonders. After three consecutive runner-up finishes last spring, she traded the bridesmaid dress for the wedding gown with a convincing score today. PASSIONATE GOLD had a bad stumble at the break.
THIRD RACE --- WILDCAT ALY’S debut in the Marty Wolfson barn was anything but a success. After banging off the side of a starting gate stall, she raced wide every jump
FOURTH RACE --- The frontrunners did a great job of slowing the pace (half-mile in 50 seconds and three-quarters in 1:14), which severely compromised the ralliers. HEY HEY MAMA did very well in charging down the lane to be beaten six lengths.
FIFTH RACE --- This one was pretty much free of traffic with DIFFERENTIATE rallying outside from last to outduel DEVILISH SILVER who surged on the rail.
SIXTH RACE --- FLYING MASSTER ran a good race, but PRAYER MEETING ran a better one. The runner-up did absorb a body block at the break, but shook it off to chase home the winner in a race that featured the day’s snappiest fractions.
SEVENTH RACE -- ELECTORAL VOTE made his turf debut in this five furlong dash. A speedster on the dirt, he lagged far behind early before launching a strong stretch rally. Maybe next time.
EIGHTH RACE --- Whatever got into GOSPEL LESSON, trainer Joe Orseno should try to bottle it and dispense it one spoonful at a time. Winless in nine previous dirt starts, he won off by 17 ¾ lengths . . . and wasn’t claimed for the $10,000 asking price.
NINTH RACE --- MORE THAN STEADY is a middle of the pack runner who counts on a good trip to get the money. Prior to today, he’d gotten home first in three of 10 tries, but a ragged start had him playing catch-up from the back of the field. He came up five or six lengths short.
TENTH RACE – Trainer Manny Tortora may have found himself a grass runner. DIDN’T TAKE IT, winless in seven dirt efforts, ran about as game as game can be in trying to wire his 11 rivals in his turf debut. He missed by a head --- at odds of 28-1 --- and had six lengths on the show horse.
Thursday, Jan. 19th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Rail appeared to be a place to avoid.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Stalkers and ralliers dominated.
FIRST RACE --- Peter Walder has pulled another winner out of the claim box. A magician when it comes to haltering horses and quickly scoring with them, Walder triumphed with SPIELBERG, a colt he claimed just five weeks ago.
SECOND RACE --- RHONIN VICTORIA, wearing blinkers for the first time, had a frustrating trip. She was away slowly, caught her rivals with a strong rail rally in the turn, but ran into a wall of rivals and stalled out.
THIRD RACE --- The chart of this $12,500 claiming mile is one for the books. PAIGE’S IMAGE, slammed at the gate by KING OF POP, scrambled to be a very brave third --- an unbelievable 32 ¾ lengths before the fourth place finisher.
FOURTH RACE --- Keep an eye on JUST PLAYIN AROUND and TAWAARED, the clear one-two finishers separated by just a head. Their 1:34 2/5 clocking for the mile is the second fastest at the one mile turf distance of the meet. Only Data Link’s 1:33 on Dec. 4 was quicker.
FIFTH RACE --- The results of this race raised a question: is the rail the place not to be? CALIFORNIA QUICK had the inside and the lead. DON’S PEACH caught her, then moved to the rail in midstretch. CALIFORNIA QUICK, to the outside of the winner, came on again to be gaining at the wire.
SIXTH RACE --- STEALCASE, on the inside on the backside, swung outside for the stretch run and wore down WINDSURFER, who went from the outside in the turn to inside in the drive for the wire.
SEVENTH RACE --- SABRINA’S DANCE lost by a neck, but went a big trip. She was first away, hooked and eventually shook clear, only to be nailed on the wire.
EIGHTH RACE – CORPORATE JUNGLE, idle since August, was a bit too anxious early and had to steady behind rivals. A second place finish should have him sitting on a winning move. NINE O WONDERFUL had an in-traffic trip.
NINTH RACE --- ANDERSONSTATE hawked the pace from the two path on the backstretch and took the lead with an outside move. He did drop to the inside once clear, but the rail still looked a bit suspect.
TENTH RACE --- EAST INDIES set a fast pace and held well in the stretch to be beaten less than a length. LEIPZIG was brave in heavy traffic in the drive for the wire.
Monday, Jan. 16th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair
FIRST RACE --- LITTLE BAILEY and DONATE came away from the gate stumbling. Then life got worse for both of them. LITTLE BAILEY took a couple of body blows and DONATE raced wide every jump.
SECOND RACE --- Not much to report here. Stalk-and- strike winner TALL PRIORITY and pacesetting BERNARDINE’S GIFT turned the six furlong dash into a match race. It was 8 ½ lengths back to the show finisher.
THIRD RACE – GLAMOUR N GLORY was impressive in winning this starter allowance turf mile. She was squeezed back to 10th on the backstretch and had only two rivals beat at the 3/16th pole, yet surged to prevail.
FOURTH RACE --- Did we miss the boat? Going into today’s start, MOREAPPLAUSEPLEASE, an 8-year-old gelding, had won a single race in five consecutive years. This $8,000 claiming dash was his first outing of 2012 . . . and he won it with ease.
FIFTH RACE --- Waited, squeezed, lacked room. Those were the trouble lines of STARSILHOUETTE’S last three starts. Not this time. She rolled from the outside. In a very game effort, CLASSICAL FASHION just missed going wire-to-wire. STARSHIP CUTIE was bothered in the stretch.
SIXTH RACE --- HIGH MYSTERY is a speed horse who got away from the gate slowly. He then failed to find racing room inside, was taken wide, and lost interest. Maybe next time.
SEVENTH RACE --- CLIP THE COUPONS may have been best, even though he was a length short of victory at the wire. What beat him was banging off one of the sidewalls of his starting gate stall.
EIGHTH RACE --- WILD EXPECTATIONS left himself with too much to do after finding himself behind a wall of horses in the early going. Salvaging a third-place finish was a good result.
NINTH RACE --- FOREST CROWN, one of the betting favorites, didn’t like being roughed up at the break. He failed to recover and ended up ninth.
TENTH RACE --- Take Gulfstream’s top lawn jockey, put him on a horse tutored by one of the best turf trainers, and what do you get? Try a $21.80 win mutuel. EASY CROSSING, a $4,000 auction ring yearling, is trained by Christophe Clement and was ridden by Javier Castellano. Go figure.
Sunday, Jan. 15th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair going over tiring track.
Turf Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- There was no catching runaway winner FLATTERING IRENE, but STARSHIP TORMENTA, who stumbled at the start, could have been closer with a clean trip.
SECOND RACE --- It’s hard to imagine a $25,000 maiden claimer being braver than RULE NUMBER SIX was in winning this 1 1/16-mile test. He dueled head-to-head with two or three rivals for seven-eighths of a mile.
THIRD RACE --- The main track was rates as fast, but the race splits and final times were anything but rapid. SINORICE struggled in upper stretch, yet surged late to get the money. Runner-up BIG HERMAN took a few body slams but kept running.
FOURTH RACE --- Was GAME BALL born on Gulfstream’s turf course? He’s now 2-for-2 over it with huge rallies from the back of the pack following trouble leaving the gate. Jockey Luis Contreras played a big part in the victory, threading his way through 10 rivals.
FIFTH RACE --- This renewal of the GP Turf Sprint was a riders’ race. Four jocks bid for the lead and the one who did so last – John Velazquez aboard PRIVATE JET – triumphed. He saved ground, asked his mount to split rivals late, and then celebrated.
SIXTH RACE --- How dull was the Gulfstream dirt course? Apprentice Jorge Calderon sent THE WINTER QUEEN to a huge early lead, but half-mile split was 49 3/5 and the six furlongs were crawled in 1:16. The pacesetter ended up last as SHOSHANA labored but still won off.
SEVENTH RACE --- He had a winner on Saturday (Cats Got Legs) and this one, a convincing score by MY GOLDEN OPINION, places Peter Walder among GP’s Top 10 trainers with five victories. His in-the-money rate of 73 percent is tops, quite an accomplishment for a horsemen who deals mainly with claimers.
EIGHTH RACE --- Trainer Chad Brown numbers are just too impressive for words, which explains this triumph by WHIPSAW CITY, a French invader idle since June. Brown is 33 percent with “first-time in North America,” 37 percent first start in barn, and 38 percent off a six-month layoff.
NINTH RACE --- Runner-up SILVERETTE was impressive in her career debut, carving out the day’s fastest fractions and only giving ground grudgingly in deep stretch. She had nearly 10 lengths on the show finisher.
TENTH RACE --- Jose Lezcano is second only to Javier Castellano (16 winners to 15) as Gulfstream’s top grass rider. He exhibited his skill by scraping paint off the inside rail to get RACE TO URGA home. Otherwise, SCORE BOYERA would have won . . . at odds of 102-1.
ELEVENTH RACE --- VIXEN’S ROAR was pretty much covered up until turning for home. She got clear late and put in a good run for second money.
Saturday, Jan. 14th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair going.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers dominated
FIRST RACE --- Clean and uneventful. SINGAPORE THUNDER put in a solid rally to get the money in a race with snappy fractions.
SECOND RACE --- A change in tactics may have helped REAL DINGO notch his first victory in career start No. 3. Jockey Daniel Centeno sent him to the lead at the break and they led every jump of the way.
THIRD RACE – Toss out the poor debut of AL AQSA. A ragged start almost saw jockey Joe Bravo come out of the saddle. Then they raced wide every jump of the way.
FOURTH RACE --- SIGNATURE EVENT put up quick fractions and hung on well to save third money, beaten just lengths. STAFF SERGEANT was all but turned sideways in heavy traffic in the stretch turn.
FIFTH RACE --- If you are new to Gulfstream Park racing and don’t know much about trainer Peter Walder, keep him in mind whenever you reach for your wallet. Walder is a magician at the claim box. CATS GOT LEGS, a 7-year-old mare he took last summer, won this dash, her second score for him in just three tries.
SIXTH RACE --- The stretch drive of this turf test for maidens was wild, with PEARL IN THE SAND all but making her own racing room. Taking the worst of it was first-time starter COLONIAL FLAG.
SEVENTH RACE --- RISE AGAINST ran about as good as a horse can run . .. and still not win. He ran into buzzsaw ECABRONI, a 2-5 shot winner, and had to settle for second money --- 7 ¾ lengths the bettors of the third place finisher.
EIGHTH RACE – It wasn’t the best of days to press the pace on the turf course and expect to win. VERSAILLES ROAD gave it a heck of a try, beaten just a half-length. SHALANGAR may have been stopped three times (twice for sure) when trying to rally inside of rivals.
NINTH RACE --- JACKSON BEND is over the hump. The millionaire handicap warrior had been the runner-up in three of four Gulfstream Park starts without a victory. He had to get around a wall of horses in upper stretch, but once he did, the result was a very professional victory.
TENTH RACE --- HOLLINGER covered a heck of a lot more ground than the 1 1/16 miles Ft. Lauderdale required. Still, he was motoring at the end. HOOFIT was stopped cold on the rail at the eighth pole.
ELEVENTH RACE --- The past performance line of WET ONE’S victory surge might make somebody who didn’t see the race believe that he was all out to score. It was just the opposite. He won with plenty left in the tank. SUMMER KITTEN ran well on the lead against the track bias.
Friday, Jan. 13th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed was crushing.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers won four of the five races.
FIRST RACE --- DONTGETMADALEXIS may have found at home in Hallandale. Just 1-for-6 in Canada, she blasted to the easiest of victories, winning off by seven lengths with plenty left in the tank. Watch for her return.
SECOND RACE --- He was 12-1 on the morning but left the starting gate at odds of 94-1. Despite the stratospheric odds, first-time starter PROFESSORPLUMDIDIT ran huge, rallying wide from a slow start to be fourth. And he did it over a track tipped to speed.
THIRD RACE --- Not much out of the ordinary here. E WALD used a mild rally to run down a stubborn PARTY BOY who missed lasting by three-quarters of a length after his jockey, Paco Lopez, threw a 50 1/5 second half-mile split at his rivals.
FOURTH RACE --- This was the third dirt race of the day and its result --- FLY SOUTH being first away and repelling two or third challengers in a very game effort – more than hints of a strong bias to speed horses.
FIFTH RACE --- This was a clean race with very little if any traffic problems for the 12 starters. And the handicappers got it right when they made TEAM the 9-5 favorite. He rallied wide and was along in time.
SIXTH RACE --- Some races you just can’t explain. SEXY THUNDER went to the post content with second and third money (14 such finishes in 39 lifetime starts) and without a victory in eight Gulfstream appearances. But she was in the mood today and was very game to the line. IN CONTROL LORETTA was crushed at the break.
SEVENTH RACE --- Was it Javier Castellano’s turf magic or was it just time for SILVER MAX to finally shake the bridegroom tag? After five runner-up finishes, he went wire-to-wire. Castellano was aboard for the first time.
EIGHTH RACE --- Late-running TOTEMTALE caught a turf course that favored speed on Dec. 15 and today he switched to dirt and tried to make up ground over a main track that was heavily tipped to speed horses. His second place finish was a good one.
NINTH RACE --- While Castellano is Gulfstream’s winningest turf rider with 15 victories, Jose Lezcano, who rallied CUMULONIMBLE to victory on the rail, is the meeting’s top percentage jock on the lawn. He has scored with 13 of 53 mounts, a sparkling 25 percent win rate.
TENTH RACE --- Closers had a very good day on the turf course, winning four of the five races. The edge in tactic may have played a role in DALAXY breaking his maiden after 15 races that included a second and a trio of thirds.
Thursday, Jan. 12th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Stalkers dominated the action.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair going.
FIRST RACE --- MARINE, the odds-on favorite, had a tough day at the office. First, there was a stumbling start, then a squeeze job as he sought racing room. Eventually, he came wide but ended up a well-beaten fifth.
SECOND RACE --- HOT LADY was as game as game can be, especially for a horse away from the races for more than six months. She made all the pace and failed to last on the lead by a head. CURSING CATHY, away in a tangle, put in a big run from the 3/8th to 1/4 pole, only to tire.
THIRD RACE --- Keep an eye on SOARING STOCKS, a powerful winner of this allowance sprint. He ran six furlongs in 1:09 3/5, easily the fastest clocking of the day at the distance. Runner-up KATZ MY SONG, beaten just two lengths, also went a big trip.
FOURTH RACE --- DAYLIGHT RIDE was full of run in her career debut but had nowhere to go in deep stretch. She missed the winner’s circle by less than a length and should be better for the effort.
FIFTH RACE --- This six furlong dash was pretty clean. The real traffic was at the claim box where six of the 10 starters got new homes for the $6,250 asking price, including MEADOW TOUCH, the stalk-and-strike winner.
SIXTH RACE --- Jockey Joe Rocco Jr. gets a big assist for helping KING ARTHUR last on the lead for the full mile in his first ever grass start. Backing down the half-mile split to 49 seconds (second quarter in 25 3/5 seconds) was key.
SEVENTH RACE --- OCONEE GOLD drew the rail post for the first time in his 13-race career. The shortest way around the track often comes with obstacles and this guy steadied early and had to scramble to finish fourth. Maybe next time.
EIGHTH RACE --- While she’s a bit too cozy with runner-up finishes (four in 10 starts last year), ACADEMICIENNE had the trip from hell. Off slowly, she caught her rivals but had to steady behind a wall of rivals in the turn. Another recovery left her only two lengths shy of the winner’s circle.
NINTH RACE ---- GILDED GENAROSE was putting in a solid rally when she was slammed at the eighth pole by a rambunctious rival to her inside. She recovered to finish third, but probably could have done better without the interference.
Wednesday, Jan. 11th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed and stalkers did best.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers won three of four races.
FIRST RACE --- GOLD KNIFE, bounced between rivals at the break, dusted herself off and put in a good run. She bid for the lead at the top of the stretch, but tired. SHEZA FUN SPONGE was brave on the front end of her career debut.
SECOND RACE --- Go figure. Paco Lopez got off his mount at the gate. John Velasquez stayed on his. Lopez won aboard a very game (and quick) DREAMING OF NENO, while Velazquez was launched when MORDI’S MIRACLE ducked into the gap at the break.
THIRD RACE --- You can’t judge a horse by its auction ring price. ESSENCE OF BUBBLES brought just $1,800 two years ago. Victory in this optional claimer is her fifth in nine starts, lifting her bankroll to just under $90,000.
FOURTH RACE --- NIKKI’S SANDCASTLE saved considerable ground with an inside trip, but it cost him at the eighth pole when he was trapped. A late surge when clear saw him miss second by a head.
FIFTH RACE --- Speedsters and stalkers were having a big day to start a new week of racing and this race was a perfect illustration of the running style trend. The horses that were first through sixth half-way home, maintained their positions to the wire.
SIXTH RACE --- Judging by the payoff, most of us got caught with our handicapping skills down around our knees. Darrin Miller, the trainer of DIEZ, entered this race with sparkling statistics regarding first time maidens, first time turf, and sprints overall. This late-charging warrior paid $44.20 to win.
SEVENTH RACE --- Following the career of GANGSTERONTHERUN just got more interesting after he romped, despite an awkward start. The 4-year-old gelding, a winner of four of six career starts, was claimed for $6,250 today, a curious sales price considering that he won off for $10,000 here on Dec. 8.
EIGHTH RACE --- This was not a good day for speed on the grass (the first three winners rallied from the clouds), so the front-running effort by 61-1 shot ROJO’S TUNE makes her a horse to watch.
NINTH RACE --- COMMITMENT LETTER become the only horse to beat the grass course bias against front-runners when he stalked, dueled and was game to the line to hold off a fast-charging AMERICAN DOE.
Sunday, Jan. 8
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speedsters and stalkers had the best of it.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Ralliers had a very good day,
FIRST RACE --- While he didn’t threaten runaway winner ELECTORAL VOTE, runner-up ROUGH’N ROYAL produced a solid effort. His connections might be now focus on dirt racing where their charge has been 1-2-3 in seven of 10 starts.
SECOND RACE --- CHIQUIS hadn’t run since his June 18 career debut at Monmouth, so there figured to be rust to shake off. After breaking slowly, he moved outside of rivals and put in a solid rally for fourth. Maybe next time.
THIRD RACE – The fastest quarter (22 1/5) and half-mile (45 1/5) splits of the day probably cost THE LIMON KID his shot at victory. He tired to finish third. I’VE GOT THE BLING, usually quick of foot, got away poorly and raced wide.
FOURTH RACE --- This was as clean as it was exciting. NUFFSAID NUFFSAID hooked the favored and front-running WAIT TIL DAWN at the top of the stretch and they dueled to the line with the redundantly named one winning by a neck.
FIFTH RACE --- Although in contention until the stretch turn, BRITISH QUEEN was way too anxious early. She retreated to last and probably needs softer competition.
SIXTH RACE --- A cut and dried victory for HOMEBOYKRIS, the heavy betting choice. CHRISTOPHER’S IMAGE was away slowly but made a nice run for the show money.
SEVENTH RACE --- FUNNY SUNNY is a horse for the course. She romped in this allowance/optional claiming dash and has now won two of three Gulfstream starts with a second place finish in the lone loss.
EIGHTH RACE -- Javier Castellano has always stood out on the Gulfstream turf course. He was aboard front-running winner STAR CHANNEL in here to give him 13 grass victories for the meeting, tops in the room.
NINTH RACE --- Put AQSAAM in your horses to watch notebook. The Dynaformer filly is now two-for-two, both victories coming as a result of back-of-the-pack rallies. This one, following a ragged start, was accomplished with plenty left in the tank.
TENTH RACE --- While R HOLIDAY MOOD and DELIGHTFUL MARY were deadheating and splitting the spoils in the Ocala Stakes, SWEET REPENT was running best of all in deep stretch. Beware next time.
ELEVENTH RACE --- Closers dominated the four grass races, winning three of them and LACONIC, the last of the trio, came from way back with a late surge. The bias made FOLK SINGER’S wire-to-wire attempt a solid one. He failed by just two lengths.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Outside stalkers had big day.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers dominated the five races
FIRST RACE --- This was over when the favored CAPTAIN NIGHTCAP, appearing to be in distress, shut down at the 5/16th pole. While he was being eased, a stalking STAR DISTINCTION roared by and romped.
SECOND RACE--- FIRETACK didn’t have the best of gate getaways, so the fact that he quickly got into the race and tracked a hot pace, makes him a horse to watch.
THIRD RACE --- The last time HEAVENLY PRIDE won at Gulfstream Park, it was off a layoff and she had added blinkers. Here, she was fresh off another layoff and the blinkers were back on. The win price was $13. And, Rajiv Maragh was aboard for the first time since last March’s victory.
FOURTH RACE --- CALL MY LAWYER is eligible to win right back. She is a quick study, breaking her maiden first time out for $12,500 in November, and finishing a solid second first time winners. In this spot, she bounced off a rival at the break before putting in an impressive rally.
FIFTH RACE --- SINGN ON THEMOON was fidgety in the gate and was off balance at the break. The front-runner was forced to play catch-up and did a good job to finish fourth to the buzzsaw winner MEDOLINA, already two-for-two at the meeting.
SIXTH RACE --- The pacesetters TEETH OF THE DOG and TIZ YANKEE both went big trips to complete the trifecta behind UNBRIDLED MINISTER. The winner got a great ride from Manoel Cruz who split the two early leaders.
SEVENTH RACE --- If you are already working on your list of possible Kentucky Derby winners, add DISCREET DANCER to the list. He ran his rivals off their feet in winning by 5 ½ lengths and is unbeaten in two career starts. The maiden win came at Gulfstream last month by 9 ¾ lengths.
EIGHTH RACE --- The fractional times were wiped off the board after some sort of malfunction (a half in 44 seconds and three quarters in 1:07 4/5?), but the pace was still probably a quick one. It helped the ralliers. Among them was DAVID D who didn’t have the cleanest of trips.
NINTH RACE --- Say hello to RIBO BOBO, Gulfstream’s iron horse. This was his fourth start in 29 days. And he won with a grinding rally. See you next week, buddy.
TENTH RACE --- HEAVENLY LANDING upset the Marshua’s River because there was no quit in her or jockey Corey Lanerie. In heavy traffic in midstretch, they got clear and won with a late lunge. THUNDERING EMILIA gets little pari-mutuel respect but keeps running hard and will pop sooner or later.
ELEVENTH RACE --- The favored CARS AND TRUCKS runs best when up close early, but a slow start took him out of his game and hr was unplaced.
Friday, Jan. 6
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- Will the rail be better today? DEVILISH SILVER, away first on the outside, allowed a rival on the rail to make the pace before rebidding at the 3/8th pole and drawing off in a romp.
SECOND RACE – THREE PART HARMONY, after two double-digit length turf defeats at Calder, returned to dirt racing and was a very game second to heavy favorite VALERIUS. Both used middle of the track rallies to finish one-two.
THIRD RACE --- TIDAL SLAM ran a big race to be third, especially after being taken out of his best game, which is to stalk and strike. Today, he had to scramble after a so-so break and a bit of traffic.
FOURTH RACE --- A clean race that saw the winner, THE LAST MEOW, run a corker in her career debut. The sophomore filly won off by 7 ½ lengths and ran six furlongs in 1:09 4/5 over a track that was fast but far from lightning fast.
FIFTH RACE --- ARTFUL RUN was the 5-2 favorite, but he didn’t live up to the billing. For the third time in eight starts, he was away from the gate slowly. That’s not a good strategy going five-eights on the grass.
SIXTH RACE --- The bugboy forgot to look in his rearview mirror and it cost him a victory. Daniel Bernardini had RAPID RUNNER rolling in the stretch, but when they shifted out for room, they smacked into DIXIE SLAM and the number came down. It made CLEAN SHOT THE winner in a race in which the top three finishers with last three on the backstretch.
SEVENTH RACE --- How fair is the dirt course playing today? The previous race’s top three finishers were the last three on the backstretch. In this race, the top three finishers held those positions from gate to wire.
EIGHTH RACE --- If every race had a logical conclusion, every winner would pay $2.20 and we’d all stay home. First-time starter LEGALIZED, racing from the one hole like a seasoned warrior, paid $125.80 for a deuce. Wouldn’t it be nice if everybody had at least one of these bombers each season?
NINTH RACE --- SENATOR BUCK had quite the day at the races. He banged the gate at the break, rallied outside to get back in the race, then dove inside to get the money. ON TIME AGAIN failed to overcome his outside post.
Thursday, Jan. 5
Main Track: Fast. Bias: The rail appeared dead.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair going.
FIRST RACE --- This turned out the way it was wagered. Even-money favorite LA MALANDRINA stalked from the outside and won off as much the best. But one couldn’t help notice the pacesetters, despite going slow, were nowhere at the end.
SECOND RACE --- Could the rail not be the place to be today? For the second race in a row, the horse closest to the fence, despite putting up moderate fractions, failed to hold a lead.
THIRD RACE --- AIR GUITAR pressed the pace from the outside and made the lead at the quarter pole without being asked to do so. But jockey Paco Lopez, perhaps a student of bias, made sure he kept the winner well off the inside, racing in the three or four path.
FOURTH RACE --- STRIKEWHILEITSHOT, the even-money favorite, had speed and the rail, yet failed to last on the lead. It is appearing that the inside part of the track is not the place to be at the start of a new week of racing.
FIFTH RACE – The way this race played out adds to the possibility that the rail is dead. ANDYSUM, who was trapped on it until the 3/16th pole, came outside to grind his way to a narrow victory over LEJADAMI and FACE CARD. The latter rallied outside to make the top, but dropped to the rail and squandered a two-length advantage.
SIXTH RACE --- The dead rail plot thickened after WATER OF LIFE rallied up the inside leaving the backstretch, but then headed for the middle of the track the final 3/16ths of a mile. She lost so much ground, she barely hung on over fast-charging FLYING TRIP.
SEVENTH RACE --- Bad day at the office for DON’T SAY NO? He hesitated big time at the break, and remained last, even though ground was made up. Maybe next time.
EIGHTH RACE ---- The horse who overcame the dead rail bias also melted the toteboard. GENTLEMEN’S BET, a first-time starter, rode the rail every jump of the way, winning off by 7 ¼ lengths . . . at odds of 33-1.
NINTH RACE --- The final dirt race of the day saw two middle-of-the-track ralliers duel to the finish. MISS NETTA got up from last while THE CAT’S ALL THAT was brave to the line after using a mild move to get to the front.
TENTH RACE --- ROMANTIC CHANNEL showed plenty of spirit in his career debut. Steadied in heavy traffic in the early going, he rallied wide in the turn and earned third money.
Monday, Jan. 2
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Lean to speed.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair.
FIRST RACE --- Some horses have talent that carries them to victory’s door. But not a step farther. WHATSUPNOTMUCH is one of them. Although he led for the better part of this 1 1/16-mile test, he settled for second money, his fifth runner-up finish in seven starts.
SECOND RACE --- Leading GP owner Frank Calabrese loves action as much as winning. When he drops a horse in claiming price, it doesn’t mean he’s trying to reduce inventory. His YOUMAKINMEMAD romped in here in an effort that looked like a public workout. And wasn’t claimed.
THIRD RACE --- PAPPA’S HOME usually shows more speed than he did in this test. He never picked up his feet and finished last. It will be interesting to see if he returns within a week or two in an easier spot.
FOURTH RACE --- This was cut and dried. MAJESTIC MARIA made the pace, JUMP UP chased it and was up late to nail down the victory.
FIFTH RACE – SPINNING WILDCAT, a half-sister to stakes star War Chant, was impressive to set the pace and save second money. LILY HANNAH may have been going best of all at the wire.
SIXTH RACE --- Jockeys Jose Lezcano and Javier Castellano put their rivals to sleep with six furlongs in 1:18, and then hooked up in a match race at the quarter pole. Lezcano and SHIMMERING MOMENT won the duel over Castellano and ZAPPARATION by a mere neck.
SEVENTH RACE --- Whatever got into ALL COUNTY was impressive as she rallied to a 6 ½-length laugher. Any winning streak will begin in a different barn as trainer Fred Warren reached in for $6,250.
EIGHTH RACE --- If there is a strategy on the Gulfstream Park grass course that wins more races than any other game plan, it’s the one MINISTER COLIN employed in scoring in this mile test. He rated in the middle of the pack, rallied on the rail on the backstretch, then swung out at the quarter pole to run down the leaders.
NINTH RACE --- SOCIO D’ORO was making her career debut, so school is out regarding any bad habits. But after breaking slowly, the juvenile lassie put in a solid run for second money.
TENTH RACE – Who would have thought that leading rider Javier Castellano would need this score aboard stalk-and-strike winner MONUMENT HILL to end a 27-race victory slump? It was a frustrating run, including eight runner-up and four show finishes.
ELEVENTH RACE --- WONZIT, idle since summer, was full of herself, especially at the break when she steadied before taking a rival wide in the first turn. A mild rally followed, but she was done in midstretch.
Sunday, Jan. 1st
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Not a great day for back-of-the-pack runners.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Speed and stalk were the best styles.
FIRST RACE --- The drop from $30,000 to $12,500 certainly played a part in the dramatic improvement in the performance of runner-up PHOTON, but racing on the rail after two wide efforts in Kentucky may have been the difference.
SECOND RACE --- K GIRL’S DREAM had an eventful career debut. Carried out at the break by a bullish rival, she rushed up the inside but had to steady and settled for fifth money.
THIRD RACE --- Not much to report. MOMMY’S IMAGE, despite getting away in a bit of a tangle, romped by seven lengths and may be good enough to start a winning streak.
FOURTH RACE --- BIG NOTION is new to turf racing and may end up being a success, but it probably isn’t going to come at five furlongs. Twice, he has tried to make up ground after slow starts at the short distance and it’s been too tall an order.
FIFTH RACE -- Most bettors would have given you generous odds at the 3/16th pole that SWEETLADYOFLIBERTY could rally into the winner’s circle. She was seventh with plenty of ground to make up. But this veteran mare loves Gulfstream and got up for her fourth win in six local starts.
SIXTH RACE --- CASA TUA beat just one rival, but may have an excuse. The ultra-consistent filly (she hit the board in five of six previous career starts) was fractious at the gate and quickly retreated on the backstretch.
SEVENTH RACE --- Jockey Elvis Trujillo threaded a needle to get TROILUS running room between rivals leaving the 3/16th pole and into the winner’s circle. The blinkers came off ROMAN INVASION for the first time in eight starts and he crashed into a rival leaving the gate.
EIGHTH RACE --- BRIDGE LOAN was game in his turf debut, chasing a lively pace, bidding for the lead at the top of the stretch, and hanging on late for a piece of the superfecta.
NINTH RACE --- SACRISTY has found her surface, and it’s good old-fashioned American dirt. After being well-beaten in two poly track starts, she piggybacks this renewal of the Old Hat to a romping maiden score at Churchill.
TENTH RACE --- Positioning proved all important in the first running of the Gulfstream Park Derby at the new 1 1/16-mile “short” course distance. Horses that were one-two-three-four in the first turn were the first ones through the wire.
ELEVENTH RACE – Speed horses had a good day on the turf course and VIVA MONGOLIA chasing down front-running DATEFUL GRED from an up-close stalking position.
Saturday, Dec. 31st
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair going.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Speed horses had a very good day.
SECOND RACE --- HEY BRAYDEN was facing winners for the first time. Yet a bigger obstacle was breaking from the No. 1 post. She was off slowly and seemed to be a bit claustrophobic. Finishing fourth was a good result
THIRD RACE --- Hopefully, ALWAYSACONTEST was in need of a cobweb-shaker. She was away slowly and raced wide in beating one foe. This from a horse who loves the Gulfstream strip.
FOURTH RACE – On a day that speedsters and stalkers dominated, the rally from the back of the pack by E.H. INDY was impressive, especially for a horse racing over a fast dirt course for the first time in his career.
FIFTH RACE --- HOLIDAY BROAD may have sealed the deal that she is an infield warrior. This convincing score makes her two-for-two on the turf, offsetting an Oh-for-3 dirt record.
SIXTH RACE --- LAWYER JIM had quite an introduction to racing. First, he stumbled, then he was herded towards the rail by a rambunctious rival, and finally he rallied to lose by a mere length. HALF WED was also pushed around early.
SEVENTH RACE – HEARTS OF RED received the most patient ride of the young season. Jock Rajiv Maragh had her stalking the pace in the first turn, then allowed the filly to fall back to eighth in the stretch turn before rallying. MISS AMELIA may have a future on the grass. She put in a late outside run to be beaten less than four lengths in her turf debut.
EIGHTH RACE --- Give jockey Kent Desormeaux a lot of the credit for getting PAPAW BODIE home first in this mini-marathon. He pressed the pace the entire trip but took his good old time in doing so, including six furlongs in 1:16 2/5 seconds.
NINTH RACE -- Speed was enjoying a rare successful afternoon on the turf and BIG SCREEN and BATTLE HARDENED, the one-two finishers, were front-running examples of the bias.
TENTH RACE --- MATA KERANJANG put on exclamation shot on the speed bias on the grass by going wire-to-wire. BIG BLUE KITTEN made up a ton of ground to be third.
ELEVENTH RACE --- When you are a horse for a course, even stumbling to your nose at the break can’t stop the victory train. APRIORITY won this 59th running of the Mr. Prospector, despite a bad misstep at the break, and is now 3-for-3 at Gulfstream.
TWELFTH RACE --- PROUDROAD TO GLORY beat the bias on the grass with a late-running bob-and-weave maneuver. ITHINKIHADTHATONE was wider than wide at the quarter pole yet was beaten only 3 ½ lengths.
Friday, Dec. 30th
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed horses dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Horses who rated did best.
FIRST RACE --- WILD EXPECTATIONS may have had his hooves full trying to get around a very game RODAN, but he had a tough trip from the one hole, unable to secure a clean run until the race was more than half over. At the line he was just 1 ½ lengths behind.
SECOND RACE --- BIG JOHN B had the trip from hell. Crunched at the break, he recovered to rally in the turn, only to be checked in traffic. That he finished fourth was quite an accomplishment.
THIRD RACE --- This was pretty cut and dry. CAJUN BREEZE broke on the money, took back early, then rallied to win as much the best. His 1:16 1/5 was easily the fastest clocking of three Friday races at the distance by nearly two full seconds.
FOURTH RACE --- Racing is a game of options and owner-trainer Barbara Pirie, who reached in and claimed romping winner TAKER HOME for $25,000 claiming, has two significant ones. She can run back on the dirt or return the filly to the grass where she battled a bias on Dec. 10.
FIFTH RACE – MUSICAL RAIN lost this race by less than two lengths, yet didn’t seem to start running until very late when he saw a little daylight.
SIXTH RACE – No excuses for the seven horses who didn’t win this race. SHE IS ARE LADY trashed everybody, winning off by 6 ¾ lengths.
SEVENTH RACE --- Winless in five turf starts in New York (a trio of seconds and one third), SCOOTLES may have found a home at Gulfstream. This front-running score was impressive.
EIGHTH RACE – Running the fastest quarter mile (22 flat) and half (45 1/5) splits took its toll on CALIFORNIA QUICK. She backed up to finish fifth, beaten nearly 10 lengths.
NINTH RACE --- These juvenile filly maidens were moving right along. They posted the best turf fractions of the day. Keep an eye on them when they return to action, especially one-two finishers REGALO MIA and COUP.
TENTH RACE --- CHANGE OF COMMAND was scheduled to run 7 ½ furlongs but a wide trip had him running nearly 20 yards more than the winner. He was beaten 4 ½ lengths.
ELEVENTH RACE --- Bettors would be wise to pay attention to the next horse that trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. equips with blinkers for the first time. ELUSIVE VACATION, a front-running and game winner, is the third horse to win from the last five that Joseph has started with “first time shades.”
Thursday, Dec. 29th
Main track: Fast. Bias: Those who hawked the pace did best.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Stalkers and ralliers dominated.
FIRST RACE --- Any chance of victory that GOOD HARBOUR bettors entertained went up in flames when he ripped a half-mile in 44 1/5 seconds, matching the fastest opening four furlongs on the meeting.
SECOND RACE --- ELLEN G. turned in a very encouraging career debut, breaking on top and carrying the field to midstretch. Although beaten by 5 ¾ lengths, she held five lengths on the third place finisher.
THIRD RACE --- Longshot COUNTY GUN went wire-to-wire in a four-length laugher. He may have won this race when the scratch cards were turned in and the very speedy ZIPATRON was declared.
FOURTH RACE --- ICE CREAM MAN, idle for the better part of nine months, went a big trip to post a comeback score in a snappy 1:16 for 6 ½ furlongs. Also running a cracker of an effort was pacesetter SIMBA’S STORY, beaten less than length.
FIFTH RACE --- PEARLICIOUS ran a monster race, only to be beaten a head. She chased fractions that were torrid compared to the other turf races.
SIXTH RACE --- COOL VIXEN does her best running from close to the pace, but she was bumped around at the break and had to play catch-up. An inside-outside rally carried her to the lead but she tired in the last eighth of a mile.
SEVENTH RACE --- ISLAND SUNSET had to contend with a bit of traffic in the early going, but eventually worked his way to the outside where he put in a good run. Triumphant SEND HIM IN is a bettor’s delight with a “clean” record -- four wins from nine starts with no seconds or third. When he fires, he gets there.
EIGHTH RACE --- Credit Rajiv Maragh for getting QUEEN OF KING ST. to last 1 1/16 miles on the lead. While they sped through an opening quarter in 23 3/5, Maragh backed down the field with a second quarter in 26 3/5 seconds. Late-running SMART FARMING did well to finish fourth, beaten less than two lengths.
NINTH RACE --- BIG BLUE SPIRIT’S welcome to American racing was a bit rude. Close to the pace in his lone start in Ireland, he had to play catch-up after steadying at the start. He also lacked racing room in the stretch, so his runner-up finish was impressive.
TENTH RACE --- Trainer Peter Walder has quite the eye for the claiming game. He took SUPERSONIC BEAUTY for $16,000 at Calder in November and got this filly ready to romp just a month later for $25,000. There were no takers.
ELEVENTH RACE --- This is the second time that CASH BELONGINGS has reacted badly to having drawn the No. 1 post. She ducked in badly and, even though there was a bit of wide rally, school was over early. Both JABEZ and LINDYHOP had traffic problems in deep stretch.
Monday, Dec. 26
Main track: Fast. Bias: The dull strip dragged down front-runners. It was a closer’s paradise.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Speed horses had another tough day at the office.
FIRST RACE – MAYVILLE was a very easy winner and is capable of scoring right back. Longshot INDIAN LEGS (63-1) didn’t have the best of starts, but put in a solid rally. He might be figuring this game out.
SECOND RACE --- A very vanilla race, one that offered a clue as to how the grass course would play. SIR RABBIT, a rallier, did his thing along the rail, exploding in midstretch. There would be four more races on the lawn. Pacesetters would struggle to hit the board, let alone win one of them.
THIRD RACE – While the main track was listed as fast, the times were not. These juvenile fillies ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:18 2/5. The six furlong split of 1:11 2/5 was quickest on the day, making DONNATALE’S victory a solid one.
FOURTH RACE --- Jockey Jose Lezcano played a major role in SCORCHER’S victory in just his second career start. He took him off the pace and made one run with the juvenile colt, winning a duel with GOOFY FOOT. The latter, also an off-the-pace warrior, was just as game.
FIFTH RACE – Jockeys may attempt to steal 1 3/8-mile races over the Gulfstream grass course, but it’s not a good idea. Longshot SHAHADAROBA opened a 13 ½-length lead half-way home and ended up last. The winner, WOODFORD BELLE, was last early.
SIXTH RACE – SARAH’S VIRTUE was impressive in breaking her maiden. She took a body shot at the break, yet roared to an easy score. We learned nothing about MARCARIA in her career debut. She was all but knocked off her feet at the start.
SEVENTH RACE --- The turf-to-dirt theory was never more right. JOYCE’S ANGEL, idle since finishing fifth on the turf at Belmont in July, flew to a 17-length laugher on the dirt. It looked like a public workout.
EIGHTH RACE --- One bettor's agony is another bettor’s unexpected joy. Late-charging ARGENTINE TANGO was tons the best but was judged to have sawed off fourth place finisher SATURDAY LAUNCH in midstretch. That gave the victory to EL ROMANO . . . at odds of 68-1.
NINTH RACE --- If you had any doubt that this was a bad day for front runners, this race removed it. FEDERAL EXCHANGE looked long gone at the eighth pole, only to be rundown by VOCE DEL LEONE, who was last on the backstretch.
TENTH RACE --- GONDORF ran as well as a front runner can run over a grass course that embraced closers. He hung in until the last sixteenth and ended up second.
ELEVENTH RACE --- A clean finale . . . and another closer into the winner’s circle. GROWL, four-wide in the turn, kept coming until he got up late.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Heavy lean to speed.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Fair going.
FIRST RACE --- Nothing like a speed duel between favorites, neither who have never won going long, to set up a winning rally for a long shot. DUCHESS OF DOOM and SMOOTH DECISION battled each other into defeat, paving the way for 18-1 ROSESANDLIGHTNING. It may pay to forgive these speedsters when they are back in the entries.
SECOND RACE – Track announcer Larry Collmus said it best. “LILY THE PINK is really in trouble.” He was referring to the favorite being trapped on the rail. Jockey Jose Lezcano did get clear, but when he did, the winner, NAMASKARA, drifted, forcing him to dive back inside.
THIRD RACE --- AFLEET LASS has come a long way from her days as a $16,000 claimer. This is her sixth victory in her last eight starts and she was very quick about it, last quarter in 24 1/5 seconds.
FOURTH RACE – KELLY’S PICK went too fast early and it cost her late. She was brave to inside the eighth pole, but her opening quarter and half-mile splits had her retreating to fifth.
FIFTH RACE --- Not much to report. KNIGHT OF MISCHIEF dueled and drew off at the 3/16th pole. But he did drift in the late going.
SIXTH RACE --- At 55 2/5 seconds, this was the second fastest five furlong turf race of the season. HOLIDAY FOR KITTEN drew off to win and may be ready to string together victories. INDULGENCE was surging late.
SEVENTH RACE – THUNDER MOCCASIN is a two-year-old, but he ran like a veteran in winning his career debut. He was quick about it, too, getting 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15 4/5. LINDAU had a rough day at the office, bouncing off the gate and steadying in traffic.
EIGHTH RACE --- Trainer Amy Tarrant has to be very satisfied and encouraged with the effort of runner-up READY SIGNAL, who just missed going wire-to-wire in her stakes debut. ANN OF THE DANCE and WHOLELOTTASHAKIN had tough trips but were gaining late, the former inside, the later outside.
NINTH RACE --- SNOW FLEET went a huge trip. Saddled with the one hole, he was off slowly and wanted to head up the gap. Instead, he settled down and put in a big run from far back to be beaten less than three lengths . . . at odds of 75-1.
Friday, Dec. 23
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair going.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Back-of-the-pack closers won three of the four races.
FIRST RACE --- The addition of blinkers didn’t do much for MISS CEDAR KEY leaving the gate as she got away slowly. However, she did put in a decent run while wide to complete the superfecta.
SECOND RACE --- HURLING may have been best. Trapped on the rail in the turn, he didn’t get to run until late when he surged three-wide for the show money.
THIRD RACE --- BOYS AT TOSCONOVA, winner of the 2010 Hopeful and runner-up in that year’s Breeder Cup Juvenile, controlled the tempo of this mile dash. He did receive a reminder with the whip late to prevail, but he appears to be back.
FOURTH RACE ---- Trainer Peter Walder dangled the 9-year-old mare PYRAMYST, who adores Gulfstream Park, for just $10,000 claiming. There were no takers and she romped by 5 ½ lengths for her sixth local score in eight tries (with a second and a third). SOUTHERN MAGGIE was so wide in the first turn she was closer to the slot machines than the inside rail.
FIFTH RACE --- Pace played a major role in ANGEL SEA’S widest-of-all winning rally. The 44 4/5-second half-mile split was the fastest of the day. The horses that sizzled early ended up seventh, ninth and 10th in a 10-horse field.
SIXTH RACE --- Successful deep rallies on the Gulfstream turf course are the norm, not the exception. That said, the sweeping move by DREAM MAN was one of the most eye-catching of the meeting. He flew past nine rivals as if they were tied to the 3/8ths pole. Keep an eye on this explosive roan.
SEVENTH RACE --- LA GREY ZULINA, in her Gulfstream debut, raced middle of the pack early, dropped back halfway home, then put in a decent rally and added a strong gallop out.
EIGHTH RACE --- Closers had a big day on the grass, which makes the front-running effort by runner-up GUNS AND RELIGION a solid performance.
NINTH RACE --- DEVOTED WILDCAT turned in the day’s most impressive effort, dueling from the break to the eighth pole before drawing off for an easy score.
TENTH RACE --- GAELIC STORM was the lone front-runner to win on the grass today. ATONED, racing for the first time in 90 days, held his own at odds of 42-1. He could prove a live long shot when wheeled back.
ELEVENTH RACE --- DEVERELL was making a move in the stretch turn when a tiring horse all but backed into her. She got around the rival and closed smartly to be third. A strong gallop out followed.
Thursday, Dec. 22
Main Track: Fast. Bias: A good day for stalking horses.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Speed and stalkers had the edge.
FIRST RACE --- Odds are very much against FIT AND AWESOME earning as much as his $475,000 auction ring price tag, but he’s now 4-for-7 lifetime and is very quick. His 1:09 2/5 clocking is one of the fastest of the meeting.
SECOND RACE – Runner-up A CAT THAT FLIES wasn’t about to catch runaway winner FEAR THE HEAT, but his first career start from the rail post factored into the 8 1/2 length margin of defeat. When the gate opened, he ducked in sharply, losing valuable time and real estate.
THIRD RACE --- If you think SLEW’S EXCHANGE, who triumphed after being squeezed to last at the break, had a rough outing, check the video to see the trip PEGGY JOYCE nearly overcame in finishing second. She was crushed at the start, and then found herself being carried out in the drive for the wire by the winner.
FOURTH RACE --- This cleanly run race may best be remembered for its top to bottom action at the claiming box. The winner (CONFLICTING REPORT) and the last place horse (KAFWAIN WEDGEHERT) got new homes. So did Show finisher VALID CITIZEN. All went for $8,000.
FIFTH RACE – It was a heady inside-outside-inside ride by Rajiv Maragh that got NEWS PENDING home first, but Z CAMELOT may have been best. He was chopped at the eighth pole, yet recovered to be beaten a little more than a length. NICKLAUS WAY, full of run late, ran into a wall of rivals.
SIXTH RACE – KIDSTRONG FEVER became the first two-time winner of the meeting when he strolled home in front-running style. The Daily Racing Form reported that RUN SMART ONE was compromised by a broken right rein.
SEVENTH RACE --- LITTLE MIKE has game. Idle since April 3, he was brave to hold safe YANKEE FOURTUNE to win by a nose. He does love Hallandale, a winner of four of five GP turf starts.
EIGHTH RACE – JUST CHILLIN BOSS had to contend with the rail post and didn’t break as alertly as he did in his first two career start. That said, he picked up rivals late for a middle of the pack finish.
NINTH RACE --- The turf course was favoring horses with speed and jockey Fernando Jara may have picked up on it. He had STARSHIP JODIE closer to the pace than she usually is and they used a mild rally to score. Devoted closer MISS OLIVIA RAE did well to finish fourth.
TENTH RACE --- It might be a long time before GROUPIE DOLL again steps on turf or polytrack in the afternoon. Winless in three starts over the two surfaces, she is now 4-for-5 on good old fashioned dirt. This latest triumph was a front-running laugher.
ELEVENTH RACE -- REFLEJO was prominent early before tiring in his 1 1/16-mile turf debut. He might fancy one of Gulfstream’s five furlong lawn dashes.
Sunday, Dec. 18
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Fair going.
Turf: Firm. Bias: The lone sprint aside, closers won three of the four races with grinding rallies.
FIRST RACE --- Trainer Allen Ferris and jock Elvis Trujillo may have won this race through a change of tactics. FROM JUMP STREET is usually prominent early, but she rated and used an inside/out rally to score in a race with plenty of pace.
SECOND RACE --- We now have the book on LATIN ROCKS. When the track is wet, she’s Oh-for-4. When it’s dry, she’s 3-for-6. MANY CROWNS, after stumbling at the break, was a determined runner-up.
THIRD RACE --- AMIE LYNN was bumped solidly at the break, and steadied along the inside when attempting to get in the race. CITY KISS, away slowly, recovered but was wide in the stretch turn. The favored CORINTHIAN LEATHER was in trouble from the half-mile to the quarter pole.
FOURTH RACE --- CHRISTMAS ON DIXON could be better next time. She got away from the gate slowly in her career debut, but made up considerable ground to be beaten less than five lengths.
FIFTH RACE—IMPERIAL STRIKE and STARSHIP HOLLYWOOD were carried to the parking lot in the first turn. The former reacted by rushing into contention, only to tire. Javier Castellano was aboard PATRICE MERION, registering his ninth grass success in 10 days of the meeting.
SIXTH RACE --- NAPHTALI could prove a solid claim for trainer Aaron Rivera. He bumped with a rival at the break, which forced him to play catch-up. There was no panic as he professionally picked off his rivals one-by-one before drawing off to a convincing score.
SEVENTH RACE --- CIAO BELLA, making her career debut, ran like a seasoned warrior. Off slowly and steadied behind a wall of rivals, she sagged to last before weaving through traffic to an easy score.
EIGHTH RACE – JAZZ saw his two-race winning streak end, but may have been best. He and jockey Luis Saez were body checked in the first turn with Saez all but coming out of the saddle. To lose by a neck made the effort a big one.
NINTH RACE --- ALKE JOHN paid the price for being part of a sizzling pace, being caught in the closing strides. The fourth quarter run in 23 seconds, following identical 24 1/5 splits, softened him just enough for late-running HA LONG BAY to get up in time.
TENTH RACE – Keep an eye on SUMMER FRONT. He won this renewal of the Dania Beach with a grinding rally, overcoming a stumble shortly after the break.
ELEVENTH RACE --- Welcome back, BLUSHING TIGER. The veteran mare hadn’t run at Gulfstream since the winter of 2008 when unplaced. But she got in gear for apprentice Lopez, rallying from the middle of the pack and proving game in the late going.
Saturday, Dec. 17
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speed and stalkers dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Speed had a good day, holding its own with closers.
FIRST RACE --- PRINCESS BEAU K’s was impressive as she surged to within a neck of the winner’s circle. Those who bet only to win were unmoved. That’s her fifth runner-up finish in 13 career starts.
SECOND RACE --- First-timer FOOTWEDGE was hard-held after recovering from a slow start. He may have resented the restraint, failing to fire when asked in the turn. New barn next time as trainer Jason Servis reached in for $25,000. Meanwhile, Calabrese-Canani combo claimed both halves of the early double.
THIRD RACE --- Javier Castellano continues to be a wizard on the Gulfstream turf course. He rated MISS MARTIN from fourth and up close to having just one horse beat in the turn, yet an inside-out rally gave him his sixth grass score in just nine days.
FOURTH RACE --- SKIDDLES N’ BOB does his best running from on the lead or just off it. He was out of sorts after having a rough launch and then having to steady a second time.
FIFTH RACE --- Perhaps Javier Castellano is a graduate of the Harry Houdini School of riding on the grass. How he was able to extricate UNBRIDLED QUEEN from the prison built around her along the rail defies logic. QUANTITY didn’t have the smoothest of trips.
SIXTH RACE – FORWARD OBSERVER is a speed horse whose chance of victory was crushed when his neighbors sandwiched him leaving the gate. He rushed into contention but the recovery sapped him.
SEVENTH RACE – Third turf race of the day, third victory for Castellano, a lawn specialist so hot that he was able to coax a wire-to-wire effort from WAYWARD SAILOR.
EIGHTH RACE --- Castellano continued to be the story of the day. He won his fourth race from as many mounts when first-timer Dan and Shelia clocked his rivals from the outside, then swept by them in the turn.
NINTH RACE --- Forget the soup of the day, Gulfstream, at least this week, is featuring the “Mutuel Bomb of the Day.” On Thursday it was Road to Babylon at $278.20. On Friday, it was Untuttable Affair paying $89.20. Today it’s Prize Informant, kicking back $68.20. He went wire-to-wire as jockey Luis Saez hung 49 4/5-second half and a 1:14 1/5 three-quarter splits at his rivals.
TENTH RACE – TRICKMEISTER hadn’t run since August of 2010, but was rarin’ to go in this first running of the Harlan’s Holiday. School was out early when he made the lead at the start. It was winner No. 5 on the day for Castellano.
ELEVENTH RACE --- How Paco Lopez stayed atop CANTONIC after the opening quarter mile of the finale is anybody’s guess. They got caught in traffic and the horse and jock all but went down. Somehow they regrouped to finish fourth, beaten less than four lengths.
Friday, Dec. 16
Main track: Fast. Bias: Stalkers and ralliers dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Six races and not a single wire-to-wire winner.
FIRST RACE --- SALTY WONDER GIRL’S romp was good news for owner Frank Calabrese and great news for trainer Kathleen O’Connell. She lost the filly when Calabrese claimed her for $25,000 at Calder on Nov. 11. O’Connell took her back today for just $12,500. Factor in the $10,250 winner’s share of the Friday opener purse, and Calabrese all but broke even on the deal. If he’s a betting man, he may have even shown a profit.
SECOND RACE --- SHISHA finished last in his grass debut. With the exception of a brief spurt on the backstretch, he appeared somewhat uninterested. He might be worth a look if returned to the dirt.
THIRD RACE --- ALGORITHMS, according to trainer Todd Pletcher, is now being pointed for the Jan. 29 Holy Bull, thanks to this driving triumph. It was impressive because the son of Bernardini covered more ground than all his rivals, being wide every jump.
FOURTH RACE – LA REINE LIONNE has the look of a filly that could put together a starter allowance winning streak. She overcame traffic and was game in the drive for the wire . . . DOILOOKFATNTHESE was cut off in midstretch but kept running.
FIFTH RACE --- Stalkers and closers look to be regaining control of the turf races, LADY RIZZI being the third winner on the day to rally in the stretch.
SIXTH RACE --- Clean and efficient. SARAVA ROSE rated inside on the backstretch, wheeled outside in the turn, and used a grinding rally to prevail.
SEVENTH RACE --- MORE THAN SPEED may have found her surface. Beaten 105 ¼ lengths in four previous career starts, all on dirt, she tried turf for the first time and led from the start until a jump from the wire – at odds of 56-1.
EIGHTH RACE – It didn’t matter that he was 43-1 (unless you bet on him), UNTUTTABLE AFFAIR had the day’s prevailing running style—sit in the middle of the pack or stalk, then use an inside-outside rally to win.
NINTH RACE – Although idle since July 2, ADIOS CHARLIE was on his toes, running a mile in 1:35 3/5, second fastest eight furlongs of the young season. He loves Gulfstream, having broken his maiden here last season.
TENTH RACE --- SUNSHINE RAMBLER was an unlucky warrior, buried inside in the stretch. To be beaten less than three lengths was quite an accomplishment.
ELEVENTH RACE --- DRACUP took advantage of the bias that embraced closers by using an inside-out rally to power her way to an easy score.
Thursday, Dec. 15
Main track: Fast. Bias: Speedsters and stalkers dominated.
Turf: Firm. Bias: For the first time at the meeting, speed horses had a big, big day.
FIRST RACE – LOST DECADE was away slowly in his career debut but put in a 6-wide rally to claim second money. BIZARRO was body-checked in midstretch, yet recovered to be beaten less than four lengths at odds of 40-1.
SECOND RACE --- PASSTHEPASTA PLESA shook off 10 months of rust in style, finishing fastest of all while widest of all. COAL FIRED waited too long to get in gear, yet galloped out strongly.
THIRD RACE --- Clean race and clever tactics resulted in a victory for KIOWA. Give large helping of the credit to jockey Jesus Castanon. He threw 49 3/5 half mile and 1:14 3/5 three-quarter splits at his rivals.
FOURTH RACE – The stranglehold that stalkers and closers had on the winner’s circle following turf races during the first six days of the meeting was ended by MARQUET CAT. He dueled from the start and drew off late. BIG NOTION had a covered up trip until late when he burst between rivals to finish with enthusiasm.
FIFTH RACE -- BROADWAY’S ALIBI was lightning quick in winning by five lengths, but drifted from the top of the stretch to the wire. Her six furlong split of 1:09 was 15 to 20 lengths faster than any other runner on the day.
SIXTH RACE --- If there was a question that speed on the grass is back in town, ROAD TO BABYLON answered it by melting the toteboard. He went wire-to-wire from the 10 hole at odds of 138-1. BLUEGRASS JET didn’t have the smoothest of trips, but was probably in need of a cobweb-shaker.
SEVENTH RACE --- Making 30 cents on a dollar will never be easier. ISLE OF SKYE ($2.60), in what pretty much was a public workout, won off by 13 ½ lengths.
EIGHTH RACE – LIVINGSTON STREET, buried on the rail, had no where to run in the stretch, yet was beaten less than six lengths.
NINTH RACE – ALL FOR THE TRIP was on the muscle coming out of the clubhouse turn, but settled down inside of foes on the backstretch. He lacked room at the eighth pole but swung outside and closed with a rush.
TENTH RACE – MOON FIRE ($2.80) made sure favorites day ended on an ultra chalky note. He was the sixth public choice to win. His rate and rally style was perfect for how the track was playing.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Main track: Good 1-5, Fast 6-11. Bias: Pretty fair, although the inside seemed deeper when track was listed as good the first half of the day.
Turf: Good. Bias: Middle of pack ralliers won both races.
FIRST RACE --- PROUD DADDY was treated rudely in his career debut, crushed at the break by a rival. After dusting himself off, he caught half the field and galloped out strongly.
SECOND RACE – Keep an eye on strike-and-stalk winner ESSENCE OF BUBBLES. She ran the fastest mile of the day and did so when the track was sticky.
THIRD RACE --- On the grass, off the grass . . . and into the winner’s circle. Trainer Joe Orseno wanted a change of pace for 0-for-6 MOONSHINE MAGIC when he entered him in this turf route race. Rains forced the race off the lawn, but Orseno’s charge was a driving winner.
FOURTH RACE -- HONEY CHILE was odds-on to win and did so in a snappy 1:09 2/5 for six furlongs, but she appeared to labor in the late going along the rail. The inside over a track labeled “good” for the first five races may have been a bit deeper than the middle to outside paths.
FIFTH RACE --- There was no catching runaway winner DANCING SOLO, but BONJOUR BELLE, away slowly in her career debut, made up a ton of ground while wide.
SIXTH RACE --- COWETA took a body check at the break from her rival to the inside and was far back in the early going. Wheeled to the outside in the turn, she put in a big run to gain fourth money.
SEVENTH RACE --- This race came off the turf, which was bad news for ITHINKIHADTHATONE. Her late running style is perfect for the Gulfstream grass course, but poison for the speed or stalk-favoring dirt course. She rallied from far back to be third.
EIGHTH RACE --- Crisp fractions undoubtedly helped set up RAPID RUNNER’S late charge to top honors. BUTLER CABIN made a big run on a suspect rail, while SATURDAY HERO was blocked in deep stretch.
NINTH RACE --- Just when it appeared that SHARED HEART would be the first horse of the meeting to last on the lead on the turf, she drifted badly and was beaten a half-length. In her U.S. debut, GYPSY was jammed in the stretch turn and lost valuable time if not territory.
TENTH RACE --- THAI HAKU was about as professional as a racehorse can be in winning the South Beach. She sat fourth on the backstretch, bid in the turn, and ran her rivals into the ground late. Her running style is perfect for the Gulfstream turf course that currently denies speed horses.
ELEVENTH RACE --- SURGE POWER, beaten a neck, may have been best but was forced to make his own hole inside the sixteenth pole.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Main track: Good. Bias: None to speak of.
Turf: Good. Bias: Horses who rate and rally continue to dominate, sweeping all five races.
FIRST RACE --- A class drop from $40,000 claiming to $15,000 can make a horse braver, but can it make him faster? D’NEXT EXPERIENCE won the opener on the plunge, running the fastest opening quarter mile of the season (21 4/5 seconds).
SECOND RACE -- MS BLOOMFIELD HIGH and CHRISTMAS TRIPPI were supposed to run 5 ½ furlongs, but both had very wide trips. They remained in contention until deep stretch with MS BLOOMFIELD HIGH appearing the stronger of the two. She had a good gallop out.
THIRD RACE --- No surprises here as the top betting choices, JABULANI and HURRICANE ELVIS, finished one-two. The winner sat mid-pack, the runner-up at the back of the field, as closers continue to dominate the grass action.
FOURTH RACE --- Hats off to GOODEVENINGOFFICER. Her narrow victory over fast-closing BELLARIDGE makes her just the second horse of the 18 that have tried so far this meeting to win a dirt sprint race from the No. 1 post.
FIFTH RACE --- The turf course continues to thumb its nose at speed horses. CANDY CAT CAN sat a trip on the rail, pounced on the pacesetters in the stretch turn, and drew clear in a very cleanly run race.
SIXTH RACE --- For a colt making just his second career start, CAJUN BREEZE got an education while finishing second to odds-on favorite NINJA BLADE. He broke alertly, took back to fourth, then split rivals at the top of the lane to gain runner-up money.
SEVENTH RACE – Barbaro’s kid brother MARGANO won by rating and rallying, but SILVER MAX was a very brave runner-up. He tried to beat the bias against front-runners by opening up a big lead, even shrugged off two challengers at the top of the stretch, but was caught late – his fifth second in as many starts.
EIGHTH RACE -- RIBO BOBO and apprentice jockey Ameth Gonzalez had the trip from hell, trying twice to get through on the rail in the stretch turn. The fact that they beat three horses is quite an accomplishment. ENDORSEMENT also had to wait a bit in traffic.
NINTH RACE --- This was a clean and very predictable race, with the prevailing bias. A speed horse has yet to last on the lead, although J ISLE gave it a heck of a shot. NORTHERN HAMMER rated along the rail on the backstretch and used a grinding rally to win.
TENTH RACE --- STRIKE THE MOON turned in a big effort to be third to heavy favorite POMEROY’S PISTOL in this Grade III Sugar Swirl. Four-wide every jump, she came coming in deep stretch to lose second money by a mere nose.
ELEVENTH RACE --- Five grass races today and five winners from off the pace. FOURSEVENTEEN stalked and almost beat the bias, but EAST OF DANZIG nailed him late.
Friday, Dec. 9
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Speedsters & Stalkers ruled.
Turf: Firm. Bias: Closers dominated. Not a single wire-to-wire.
FIRST RACE --- There was no catching runaway winner PERFECT’S LIL SIS, but I’D LIE may have been a lot closer if not for all the pin-balling she did between rivals in the early going.
SECOND RACE --- BERNIE BY THREE must have gotten up on the wrong side of the stall in the morning. He was unsettled during the first half of the race, then seemed to stop and start his rally a couple of times . . . First-time starter AMPERSTERBAND was away slowly but finished determinedly along the rail.
THIRD RACE --- LAVA GIRL posted a very professional stalk-and-strike victory in a cleanly run race.
FOURTH RACE --- PUT HER BACK ZACH may have been a bit claustrophobic while hawking the leaders from the inside. She eventually wheeled off the rail and finished well to be third, adding a strong gallop out.
FIFTH RACE --- DESERT SAGE, winner of a photo over DYANI, is the perfect horse for the Gulfstream Park turf course. This is her third victory in as many starts.
SIXTH RACE --- MEADOW TOUCH, who usually shows good early foot, got away slowly, but made up a ton of ground with an inside-out-inside rally. She also galloped out with plenty of enthusiasm.
SEVENTH RACE --- Keep an eye on MEDOLINA. The freshman filly was very impressive in her career debut, exploding in midstretch to win off by six lengths. Castellano was aboard, giving him four turf victories in four days of Gulfstream racing.
EIGHTH RACE --- In a match race within a race, NEMO LANDING outdueled DUBIA DISTINCTION. The victor has now won half of his 14 career starts. He’s a hot horse, being claimed earlier this year in three consecutive starts.
NINTH RACE – DIXIE DARLING, beaten just a half-dozen lengths or so, needs to slow down in the early going. Her quarter mile (22 3/5 seconds) and half (46 1/5) splits were eight to 10 lengths faster than the fractions in the day’s other turf races.
TENTH RACE – Rallying from last with a huge inside-out rally, GAME BALL claimed his fifth consecutive victory and eighth in 15 lifetime starts, a remarkable record for a horse who always comes from the back of the pack.
Thursday, Dec. 8
Main Track: Fast. Bias: Track was fair
Turf: Firm Bias: Raters & ralliers had best of it.
FIRST RACE --- Stay away from BIG BAND until he learns to exit the starting gate in an orderly fashion. For the ninth time in 12 career starts, he broke poorly. The Daily Racing Form footnote will report that he “dwelt, was off slowly, or hesitated.” Only those who used him on the bottom of their superfectas were happy.
SECOND RACE --- SCHATT THE BANDIT didn’t show his usually speed at the opening bell. He stumbled for a stride or two, then had to play catch-up while outside of rivals to gain third money.
THIRD RACE--- Even-money favorite VOODOO STORM, was buried on the inside for seven of the eight furlongs . . . While it appeared that SELF CONTROL may have been blocked in mid-stretch by the winner, he in fact was his worst enemy, ducking in when hit right-handed by jockey Paco Lopez.
FOURTH RACE --- Another well-timed ride on the turf by Javier Castellano as he coaxed CLASSICAL FASHION to go wire-to-wire . . .STARSILHOUETTE was bottled up in the turn, yet was beaten less than three lengths.
FIFTH RACE --- First-timer freshman ONE SOCK DOWN was very impressive, chasing the pace, dueling in the turn, and drawing off late. His 1:10 clocking was the fastest of three six furlong races on the day.
SIXTH RACE --- A 10-week vacation turned BIG DREAMS into a tiger. He broke on top, took back to third, knifed his way between rivals to make the lead and then was game to the line . . . ROYAL GREATNESS had an adventurous turf debut, being bumped around, falling back, then finishing with enthusiasm.
SEVENTH RACE --- The spill involved Furious Ron and Honest Paul was at the back of the pack and didn’t impact on any of the other runners.
EIGHTH RACE --- The speed caved in badly – twice. The top three finishers were ninth through 11th on the backstretch, but came running late. ACADEMICIENNE, the eventual runner-up, had a quite a trip. Far back early and wide on both turns, she opened a big lead at the top of the stretch, only be run down.
NINTH RACE --- Another heads-up ride on the lawn by Castellano. He steered his mount (STAR CHANNEL) from the 11 post to be second on the rail going into the first turn, took back to third, then surged in midstretch to win going away. Castellano’s three turf wins leads the jocks’ room.
