D’Angelo Building for the Future with Well-Bred 2YO Fillies

Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $75,000

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – The Elkstone Group LLC’s Sassy Sof took to the turf in a big way Friday to graduate for trainer Jose D’Angelo in a field of well-connected, well-bred 2-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park.

The juvenile daughter of Into Mischief, who had finished far back in her July 22 debut over Colonial Downs’ main track, broke alertly under jockey J. G. Torrealba to take a quick lead with a 21.50-second first quarter-mile in Race 5, a five-furlong maiden special weight on turf. The Kentucky-bred filly came under outside pressure on the far turn before completing the half-mile in 43.88 and drawing clear through the stretch to score a 1 1/4-length triumph in 56.09.

“I brought her back home and really liked the way she was working,” said D’Angelo, whose trainee sported a strong work tab at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach Country, in preparation for her return to action over a firm turf course “She always showed talent. Today, she won on very fast fractions.”

Sassy Sof ($15.40) is out of Golden Curl, a daughter of Curlin.

Sassy Sass, who had finished third on turf in the Royal Palm Juvenile in her debut May 9 for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, rebounded from an off-the-board finish on Tapeta in her second start to finish second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of late-closing favorite Rhett Dreams. Casse-trained Seven of Hearts, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Blazing Sevens, was never a factor.

D’Angelo also appears to be well represented in a well-stocked six-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies in Saturday’s Race 8. Morplay Racing LLC, Sonata Stable, Denali Stud, Marquee Bloodstock and KAS Ultimate Racing’s So Icy is scheduled to make her debut in a field of 10. The daughter of Yaupon was purchased for $700,000 at the OBS March sale.

“She has been working very good on the dirt and the turf, too,” D’Angelo said. “I like her chance [Saturday].”

So Icy has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in a field that includes Shadwell homebred Saytara, a daughter of Constitution who is slated to make her second start for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $75,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 went unsolved at Gulfstream Park Friday on the first racing day following last Sunday’s mandatory payout. Saturday’s Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $75,000.

The popular multi-race wager’s sequence will span Races 5-10 on Saturday’s 10-race program, featuring a six-furlong optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up in Race 9. Practically Dark will seek his third straight optional claiming victory while coming off a 2 1/2-month hiatus. Carlos David-trained Jalapeno, a winner of two of four career starts, will race with blinkers for the first time. The Race 9 feature follows a strong six-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies.

In the Rainbow 6, the jackpot pool is paid out only when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

Races 8 and 9 are included in the sequence for Saturday’s Sunset Six while Race 9 will kick off the sequence for the 1/ST Coast-To-Coast Pick 5. Both retail-only multi-race wagers have a $1 base with a 15-percent takeout.

Races 8, 9 and 10 at Gulfstream will start Saturday’s Sunset Six, followed by Races 7, 8 and 9 at Santa Anita.

The Coast-To-Coast Pick 5 will start at 4:36 p.m. ET with Gulfstream’s Race 9, followed by Race 3 at Santa Anita, Race 10 at Gulfstream and Race 4 at Santa Anita. Race 6 at Santa Anita wraps up the sequence at 6:39 p.m. ET.

Note: Jockey Micah Husbands and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. swept Friday’s late daily double with favorites La Dolce Vita ($4) in Race 8 and Makeitlookez ($3.60) in Race 9.