GULFSTREAM PARK NOTEBOOK
APRIL 22, 2005
by Dick Powell
Once again the new, expansive turf course was the big hero of the week.
Coupled with good weather, Gulfstream was able to card 22 races on the turf out
of a total of 48. The average field size was a healthy 9.82 on the turf, but
dipped to a paltry 7.04 in main track races.
With a week of racing left, the jockey standings are very intriguing. Edgar
Prado leads with 62 winners, but he’s moved his tack to Keeneland and is not
expected back. John Velazquez has 60 winners, Javier Castellano 57 and
Cornelio Velasquez 56, but none are expected here in the last week.
Of the locals, Rajiv Maragh owns 50 wins and Manoel Cruz is next at 49. There probably isn’t
enough time to make up 12 wins with only five days of racing.
In the trainer standings, Todd Pletcher has the title wrapped up with 33
winners from 136 starters. His horses have earned $1,602,970. Danny Hurtak is second with 21
victories and Bill Mott comes next with 20. Nick Zito is in sixth place with 15 winners, but
his runners have earned a meet-high $1,644,470. A one-two finish in the $1 million
Florida Derby (G1) accounted for $790,000 of his total.
The only stakes race run last week was the Bob Slater S., a five-furlong turf
sprint for fillies and mares. MISS VICTORY (Arg) (Numerous) won her American
debut here in her previous start, going five furlongs in 56 seconds. The Group 1 winner
in Argentina was sent off as the 21-10 second choice in the betting on Saturday against
nine other rivals.
Rajiv Maragh broke her beautifully out of the gate and Miss Victory took up a
pace-pressing position outside of Platinum Perfect (Jules). After dueling
through a first quarter in :21.51 and a half in :43.75, Miss Victory began to
pull away to a 1 1/2-length victory in 55.04. She’s now two-for-two in America
and her form in Argentina also shows stakes win on the main track, both dry and wet.
One pedigree point is her sire, Numerous, who is also the sire of MR. LIGHT (Arg),
winner of the one-mile Arthur Appleton H. (G3) two starts back. Both
offspring of Numerous are Argentine-breds and six-years-old.
BANDINI’s (Fusaichi Pegasus) win in the Blue Grass S. (G1) last Saturday at
Keeneland confirmed the quality of the three-year-old colt crop that raced here
this winter. Just like March Madness, when some regions are stronger than
others, it looks likely that the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) went through
Florida this year.
HIGH FLY (Atticus), Bandini, NOBLE CAUSEWAY (Giant’s Causeway) and BELLAMY
ROAD (Concerto) have all gone on to distinguish themselves and will be among the
favorites on the first Saturday in May. And, don’t forget that HIGH LIMIT
(Maria’s Mon) trained at Palm Meadows all winter for Bobby Frankel.
When handicapping the Kentucky Derby, you might want to give an edge to the Florida-horses based on what they have done in the Blue Grass and the Wood Memorial. And, unlike other years when horses that raced here over the winter often
were victimized by a very hard main track, this year’s group should be able to
maintain their form longer.
BIAS REPORT
There was only one main track race going two turns and it was won from far
off the pace. If you have a two-turn, main-track specialist, you’re in big
trouble trying to get a race to fill.
In main track races going one turn, 15 of 26 (58 percent) winners were first
or second after the first quarter mile. This was identical to last week’s
average.
There were seven turf sprints run last week and five of them (71 percent)
were won by horses that were first or second after the first quarter-mile. In
turf races going two turns, seven of 19 (37 percent) were won by horses that
were first or second after the first quarter-mile. Of the seven two-turn turfers
that won near the front end, four of them came on Wednesday.
There were three turf sprints run last week and two of the three (67 percent)
winners were won by horses that were first or second after the first
quarter-mile. Running times were, as usual this year, extremely fast.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/13)
1ST – WISH COMMAND (Halo’s Image) made a belated career debut at the age of
four and, despite severe traffic problems, was able to run a solid second.
3RD – MISS SANDI STORM (Storm Boot) held well on the front end to the deep
stretch in her turf debut with a rider that has won one race.
5TH – GULF NEWS (Woodman) figured to get a tough trip from post 10 but he was
bumped and then wound up in traffic when the running got serious.
7TH – LIFE (Fr) (Anabaa) lost all chance when he stumbled at the start and
had traffic going into the first turn in only her second American start.
Thursday (4/14)
3RD – MR. PLEASENTFAR (Brz) (Emmson) usually comes from far back but wound up
pressing a very slow pace and ran gamely through the lane.
5TH – LEMONETTA (Lemon Drop Kid) flew home for second but couldn’t overcome
post 12 and is still a maiden despite running well.
Friday (4/15)
2ND – TAQUAN (Littlebitlively) almost went gate to wire in his turf debut in
a very game effort.
5TH – BRIGADIER BROOKS (Kris S.) was very rank early in his first start in
272 days but still ran well.
7TH – OPERATION RED DAWN (Miswaki) showed tremendous gameness when stuck in
traffic down on the rail in his career debut on the turf.
Saturday (4/16)
6TH – HEAVEN’S REPLY (Halos and Horns) chased the pace before opening up a
clear lead in the stretch only to get run down near the wire.
9TH – ADREALITY (Adhocracy) had a tough trip from the rail when she was
steadied in the deep stretch going five furlongs on the turf.
11TH – GREYLOCK (Mt. Livermore) was bumped repeatedly and then ran into
traffic in a nightmare trip.
Sunday (4/17)
2ND – PADUA’S GIFT (Sasha’s Prospect) came up empty in the drive but had an
eventful trip in the early going.
6TH – STATUE (Red Ransom) was shuffled back after encountering traffic in the
early going and then made a nice rally to get third.