GULFSTREAM PARK NOTEBOOK
APRIL 15, 2005
by
Dick Powell
The fireworks of the Florida Derby (G1) are long gone and the plan to keep
most of the stables here to the bitter end isn’t working real
well. Week 14 of the Gulfstream meet was a quiet one and if it weren’t for
the magnificent turf course, the racing would have been pretty bad.
Fair Grounds used to be the turf-sprint capital of North American racing, but Gulfstream has been giving them a run for their money. Last week, seven
5 1/2-furlong turf sprints were held. They drew good
fields and yielded some amazing running times.
On Wednesday, which featured one turf sprint, FLYING CIRCLE (Pembroke)
rallied from off the pace to win by a length in :55.56. Thursday saw three turf
sprints run with T. D. VANCE (Rahy) winning by a neck after dueling for the lead
in :55.30; SILVER MOOSE (Concorde’s Tune) running down a clear leader and pulling
away to an easy win in :54.98; and WORLDLINESS (Suave Prospect) overcoming post 11
and rallying widest of all to get up at the wire by a head in :55.69.
Rain fell Friday and no turf racing was held. On Saturday, ZI NIGHT (Ghazi)
won by four lengths in :55.96 over a course that did not seem to be affected by Friday’s
precipitation. PARISIAN AFFAIR (Mr. Greeley) also proved successful, winning a ding-dong battle by a neck in
:54.93, and then there was PROCREATE (Mt. Livermore).
The seven-year-old won his first turf sprint race here last out
against starter allowance company in :56 only two weeks ago and John
Zimmerman wheeled him right back against stakes foes in Saturday’s Yankee Affair
S. The public dismissed Procreate at 16-1 odds despite drawing post 2. Choose (Arch) was made the even-money favorite based on a fast win in his turf-sprint
debut last out, but his pace-prompting running style figured to result in another
wide trip.
Eddie King gunned Procreate to the front right at the start and opened a
clear lead going into the turn. He covered the first quarter in an amazing :20.97
then showed that was no fluke with the half in :42.51. He had a five-length
lead at this point and cruised home in a world-record time of :53.79.
It was quite a weekend for John Zimmerman who, besides winning the Yankee
Affair with Procreate, upset the Lafayette S. (G3) at Keeneland with More Smoke (Smoke Glacken). Not bad for a trainer who is based at Penn National for
most of the year.
The turf course came up big again with four races being run over it each of
the four days it didn’t rain. Times were sensational as usual and horses with
clear paths had the advantage. With races getting harder to fill, having four
turf races a day is a luxury few tracks can afford and considering the meet is
in week 14, the course has held up beautifully. Can’t imagine how bad the racing
would be without it.
There were only two main track races going two turns and one was an
off-the-turf marathon. Both were won from off the pace.
In main track races going one turn, 18 of 31 (58 percent) winners were first or
second after the first quarter mile. With only 7.06 starters per one-turn race,
this is not that unusual. On Friday, with a sloppy track, horses on the outside,
whether on the pace or coming from behind, had an advantage.
There were seven turf sprints run last week and five (71 percent) were won
by horses that were first or second after the first quarter mile. In turf races
going two turns, four of nine (44 percent) were won by horses that were first or second
after the first quarter mile. Average field size was 9.33
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (4/6)
2ND – PERSONAL NOTEBOOK (Miner’s Mark) ran an amazing race considering her
recent form on the dirt was terrible. She chased the pace and made a strong
three-wide move before weakening in both her turf and two-turn debut.
4TH – RAGING GLORY (Lil’s Lad) lost all chance when bumped at the start
then stuck in traffic while making her first start off the claim by Frank
Carlisi.
6TH – WINSOME (War Chant) pressed a brutal pace on the outside before being
carried wide in a blazing-fast turf sprint.
8TH – ADJUST (Affirmed) couldn’t overcome the extreme outside post, a slow
pace and a wide trip, but still rallied for third.
Thursday (4/7)
4TH – STARSHIP ZIM (Miesque’s Son) rallied strong in his turf sprint debut
behind a blazing pace and should be tough when stretched back out.
8TH – MY HIDDEN STORM (Storm Boot) was shuffled back and forced to rally
wide in her turf debut.
9TH – HIGHBROOK GIRL (Montbrook) was disqualified after bearing in turning
for home, but the three-year-old miss showed ability in her career debut.
Friday (4/8)
4TH – OUTSHINE (Out of Place) ran into traffic at the start then was stuck
down on the inside over a sloppy track that favored outside paths.
8TH – WESTERN MAN (Double Honor) rallied up the rail to get third going six
furlongs in a fast time while down on the inside.
Saturday (4/9)
6TH – CAPITOL PANIC (Montbrook) rallied nicely for second in his career
debut for Steve DiMauro, who only wins at 9 percent with first time starters.
8TH – SUMMER’S LULLABY (Successful Appeal) rushed up into contention after
breaking slowly and in her second career start and shouldn’t be a maiden much
longer.
9TH – CHOOSE (Arch) lost all chance when he broke slowly and couldn’t make
up enough ground in a world record turf sprint.
11TH – ABYSSINIAN CAT (Western Cat) had a nightmare trip in her second turf
start and should improve with a clean trip.
Sunday (4/10)
6TH – SEA TALES (Belong to Me) rallied for third despite traffic problems
in his first start in 212 days.
7TH – GOLD STREET BLUES (Seeking The Gold) wound up setting the pace while
being pressed on the inside.