The $1 million Florida Derby (G1) is the main event at Gulfstream Park
Saturday, but the undercard is loaded with four stakes, including a pair of
Grade 2 events, the Pan American H. and Orchid H. Both events are held over 12
grassy furlongs and worth $150,000.
In the Pan American, GIGLI (Brz) (Clackson) is the 116-pound highweight
against seven rivals. A Group 1 winner in his native Brazil, Gigli is winless
from seven attempts in the United States but will bring improving form into the
Pan American, having missed by a only a nose when second in the Gulfstream Park
Breeders’ Cup H. (G1) last out. The Bobby Frankel-trained seven-year-old will
have the services of Jerry Bailey.
Another Brazilian Group 1 victor, ART VARIETY (Brz) (Pleasant Variety), will
lead the post parade under a 113-pouind impost that includes Manoel Cruz. Next
comes EUROPEAN (Ire) (Great Commotion), Brice Blanc, 113; STAGE CALL (Ire)
(Sadler’s Wells), Eibar Coa, 113; NAVESINK RIVER (Unbridled), John Velazquez,
114; Gigli; DEPUTY LAD (Mecke), Ramon Dominguez, 114; SCOOTER ROACH (Mi Cielo),
Cornelio Velasquez, 113; and QUEST STAR (Broad Brush), Edgar Prado, 114.
Seven fillies and mares will contest the Orchid. SNOWDROPS (GB) (Gulch),
winner of the Suwannee River H. (G3) earlier in the meet, will be one of the
favorites under Prado, but she faces a couple of dangerous rivals in HONEY RYDER
(Lasting Approval) and BRIVIESCA (GB) (Peintre Celebre). The former exits a win
in The Very One H. (G3), where she defeated the Bill Mott-trained Briviesca by
only a neck.
The complete field, from the rail, is Honey Ryder, Velazquez, 116; COQUINERIE
(Sahm), Jose Santos, 112; STORMIN’ DAINA (Storm Creek), Phil Teator, 113;
Snowdrops, 117; PRETTY JANE (Subordination), Blanc, 114; ELLIEONTHEMARCH (Old
Trieste), Velasquez, 113; and Briviesca, Bailey, 115.
The $100,000 Skip Away H. (G3), a 1 1/8-mile main track test for older
horses, attracted a field of 10, including a pair of four-year-olds who were on
the Triple Crown Trail early last year at Gulfstream Park, EUROSILVER (Unbridled’s
Song) and SIR OSCAR (Halo’s Image). The 117-pound highweight is Grade 3 hero
ZAKOCITY (Precocity), who finished a close second in the Sunshine Millions
Classic before recording a third in the Gulfstream Park H. (G2) last out.
Eight horses will sprint 7 1/2 furlongs in the $100,000 Artax H. Grade 1
winner GYGISTAR (Prospector’s Music), who comes off a sharp 5 1/2-length score
in his seasonal bow, carries the top weight of 118 pounds. His opponents include
VALUE PLUS (Unbridled’s Song), CHRISTINE’S OUTLAW (Wild Again) and SUPER FROLIC
(Pine Bluff).