Gulfstream Park Past Performances
Today’s race of the day free past performances are courtesy of DRF.com — America’s Turf Authority.
#1 Star Plus — This guy is 7 years old so he’s getting up there and hasn’t raced since the G3 River City at Churchill for Kenny McPeek. This is his second trainer and sixth different rider since arriving here from Argentina in ’07. Gets the services of Maragh and his current trainer, Angel Penna, is 33% winners for the meet so far. Ran at these conditions in his first race in the States and seems to have improved on paper but he has health issues but he’s versatile to win on dirt, synthetic and turf. Highest last race Beyer and Maragh is no dummy.
#2 Auction Watch — Another old timer for Jonathan Sheppard who’s in for the claiming allowance tag of $80K. Sheppard hasn’t won any yet but Castanon is 19% winning rides at the meet. Penn. bred is second choice. All of his wins have come on turf with three at today’s distance.
Last three wins were all at Philly and Sheppard takes this horse down south. Appears this is the first time the horse is in for a tag. Don’t like the price.
#3 Valtrus — Lezcano has this favorite who’s dropping back in for a claiming price in this OC$80K with a $53K purse. These days 60% of the purse plus the claiming price for a horse who has won six races and $220K isn’t a bad cash out. That’s what it looks like Bruce Brown is doing here after claiming this one four back for $50K He has four wins on the turf but none here in two attempts. Not sold.
#4 Sr. Henry — NW four lifetime and “o-fer” on the lawn in 11 attempts. Desormeaux and McPeek have this one in the barn and makes you wonder why? On paper the horse “looks” good but you know what they say about those. If the track came up off we’d say maybe but the forecast calls for sunny skies in Hallandale. Has one at Gulfstream just not on the turf.
#5 Florentino — Has two wins over GP turf. His maiden victory was here at the distance. He’s speedy and has run in four graded stakes in the last five starts. Caught Get Stormy the last two times.Garcia for McLaughlin but the horse is still NW4.
#6 Slambino — Got beat 3/4 lengths to Furthest Land here last January. Castellano looks to get run from this one but it’s going to come late in the race. Broke his maiden here in ’08 over the slop beating Zambezi Warrior. Late.
#7 Sam P. — Ran in all the big races as a three year old. He’s still eligible for NW4 lifetime and has competed at this level on several occasions. Leparoux rode him to victory in May ’08 at Churchill and that was the last time he had his picture taken. Went to the lead that day but he can’t do that today. Needs to make one run.
The selection:
#1 Star Plus – Not sure why but we think he’s the one. Morning line is 4 to 1 but he might go lower.
Check back here for the results and the video replay.
Sometimes it’s best to stop and think before saying anything and that’s the approach we’ve taken after this weekend’s Florida Derby in which Quality Road broke the track record for 1 1/8 mile distance.
Now that the dirt has settled, was the speed favoring surface at Gulfstream Park unfair to Dunkirk as Todd Pletcher implied after the race? And what does it mean for Quality Road in the Kentucky Derby?
During the week leading up to the race there was speculation that Pletcher would run Europe to ensure a fast early pace. Europe may be fast but there was no way a second time maiden starter would have been the right rabbit for Dunkirk who had won his only two starts from off the pace against maiden and allowance runners. Europe stayed in the barn.
Off two strong performances, Dunkirk was favorite to beat Quality Road and stamp his ticket to the Kentucky Derby. But, it wasn’t to be and the road was ‘paved’ a different way on Saturday where two track records were broken in one day over a Gulfstream Park surface that has favored speed all meet long.
In the Swale Stakes, Big Drama set a new record for seven furlongs as he outdueled This Ones for Phil only to be disqualified and placed second. Nevertheless, the final time of 1:20.88 was a forecast of things to come for Pletcher.
In the Florida Derby, Quality Road stalked in second before assuming command around the far turn. At the top of the stretch, Garrett Gomez had moved Dunkirk to within a length of the leader and that’s when John Velasquez called on Quality Road and he responded. Pletcher watched Dunkirk’s chance at the Kentucky Derby speed away from him.
The second place finish in the Florida Derby earned Dunkirk $150,000 in graded stakes money but it probably won’t be enough to get him into the Kentucky Derby and another shot at Quality Road — until the Preakness.
There is no doubt that Quality Road is good. His sire, Elusive Quality, has already produced the 2004 Kentucky Derby winner, Smarty Jones. We know he has speed and the stamina to go 1 1/8 miles, but this years group of three year olds are better then those Smarty Jones faced as the stalking speed over the sloppy Churchill surface on that first Saturday in May 2004.
There’s nine entered for tomorrow’s Florida Derby as Dunkirk faces off with Quality Road and Theregoesjojo in an attempt to earn enough money to qualify for the starting line-up in this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Dunkirk, who didn’t race at two, will need to win tomorrow’s race to gain the lion’s share of $450,000 and virtually guarantee him a spot on the first Saturday in May.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, who has entered Europe to aid Dunkirk in his quest, is still looking for his first Kentucky Derby winner.
With only $43K in earning, Dunkirk appears to be facing exclusion but don’t count on it. His two races at Gulfstream were spectacular and this son of Unbridled’s Song looks like he can run all day.
Lookout!
As the first Saturday in May approaches the race is tightening for this years best three year olds trying to get into the Kentucky Derby.
The biggest race of the week is the $750,000 Florida Derby. A Grade I
event for Three Year Olds going One Mile And One Eighth.
Over the past few years we’ve seen the Kentucky Derby winner prep in the Florida Derby, including last years winner, Big Brown, who was impressive in winning from the 12 hole.
This years contestants appear to be strong once again as Dunkirk and Quality Road are set to face off in what should be a great race.
We’ll handicap the race and bring you the top selections when the Daily Racing Form past performances are published.
In the news, trainer John Ward announced today that Beethoven will not compete in the Florida Derby as planned and will be pointed to the summer races. Beethoven had won the Kentucky Jockey Club stakes at Churchill last year as a two year old. The purse money for the KJC was reduced so that Beethoven’s total graded money earned probably wouldn’t be enough to get into the Kentucky Derby without a strong placing in the Florida Derby. Ward commented that ‘it’s ironic that a race held in England would guarantee a spot in the Kentucky Derby but Beethoven, who had won the KJC, might not get in.’
Nevertheless, Beethoven developed a slight tendon injury which sidelines him until the summer.
Stay tuned for the picks later in the week.
