Grande Shores Heads Field for Bull Gator at Gulfstream

Grande Shores heads the field for Friday’s $75,000 Bull Gator Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The Grande shores is seven furlongs on dirt for  Florida-breds 3-year-old and up, and is the day’s sixth race with scheduled post of 3:54 p.m.

First post is 1:15 p.m. for Gulfstream’s eight-race card. Conditions are fast and firm.  According to The Weather Channel, there is just a 10 percent chance of rain this afternoon in the Hallandale Beach area where Gulfstream is located.

We will have coverage here this afternoon.

Grande Shores comes into the Bull Gator off a win in the seven-furlong Sir Shackleton at Gulfstream on April 2.

Grande Shores, owned by Jacks or Better Farm, is making his first start for trainer Mark Casse. Edgard Zayas has the mount.

Through early last month Jacks or Better used Stan Gold as its exclusive trainer in Florida, with considerable success especially in 2-YO races. Last month, for reasons not fully disclosed publicly, Jacks or Better owner Fred Brei moved all of his approximately 20 horses to Casse.

Since then Gold has taken on horses from several other owners, including former partners of the recently retired trainer Bill Kaplan.

We’re All Set, who has shown early speed, looms as the biggest threat to the late-running Grande Shores.  We’re All Set has won three of his last four starts, in allowances or optional claimers at Gulfstream.

Tyler Gaffalione rides We’re All Set for trainer Peter Walder.

Others in the five-horse field are Yourdreamsormine, Joshua’s Comprise and Aces for John.

--Jim Freer