Alpyland Scores Third Straight Victory in $175,000 Dania Beach

3YO Colt Comes .48 Seconds Off Track Record in One-Mile Turf Test

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – D. J. Stable’s Alpyland, stepping up to stakes company for the first time off back-to-back wins, ran down pacesetting Honey Dutch in deep stretch and went on to score a third straight victory in Thursday’s $175,000 Dania Beach at Gulfstream Park.

The 18th running of the Dania Beach for newly turned 3-year-olds going a two-turn mile on the grass anchored a special 10-race New Year’s Day holiday program featuring three stakes worth $450,000 in purses.

Alpyland ($9.80) was the second winner of the day for Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and third for fellow Hall of Famer Mark Casse, who also trained Mi Bago to victory in last year’s Dania Beach.

“He’s a nice horse. He’s just kind of catching on,” Casse said. “He’s a beautiful, big, strong colt. We’ve been kind of high on him, but it’s taken him a while to catch on. Today, by far, was his best performance. Johnny gave him a great trip.”

Sent off as the 9-5 favorite in a field of nine, Honey Dutch went to the lead as expected and posted testing splits of 22.71 and 44.79 seconds, opening up distance between Easy Wind in second and an unhurried Alpyland in the clear three wide in third.

“It looked like the horse that was going to be on the lead was on the lead and the question was, could he get the mile?” Casse said. “I thought down the backside we were in a perfect spot.”

Alpyland closed to be second after six furlongs went in 1:08.37 with Honey Dutch clinging to a short lead, but Alpyland was determined racing to his outside and surged to win by 1 ½ lengths in 1:31.89 over a firm turf course. The final time was just .48 off the track record of 1:31.41 set by Mr. Light Jan. 3, 2005.

Zeppelin finished third, a half-length behind Honey Dutch, followed by Easy Wind, Glorious Boy, Knoty Knicks, Grand Mahogany, Squire and A Million Dreams. Truman’s Commander was scratched.

“I had the perfect trip,” Velazquez said. “The two horses I thought were going to the lead, one took back a little, so I put a little a little pressure to make sure I was there a little sooner than later. From then on, he went nicely.”

Gulfstream’s stakes for 3-year-olds on turf resumes with the $150,000 Kitten’s Joy going 1 1/16 miles Jan. 31 and continues with the $175,000 Colonel Liam Feb. 28 at one mile and $150,000 Cutler Bay March 28 sprinting 7 ½ furlongs.

“Gulfstream has a great series of races [and] when you get a horse like this, you’re always thinking about a couple races in Florida and then go on to [Kentucky] for those big races, as well,” Casse said. “Those will be our targets.”