Gulfstream: Summit of Speed Today

Gulfstream Park will hold its annual Summit of Speed on Saturday, with 13 races and first post of 12:15 p.m.

We will be at Gulfstream during the afternoon and will have coverage on this blog.  The dirt is listed as fast and the turf is listed as good. There is a 25 percent chance of rain in the forecast.

The card has nine stakes races, including the $250,000 Princess Rooney (Grade 2) and the $250,000 Smile (Grade 2).

Both are “Win and You’re In” races for a spot in a  Breeders’ Cup stakes this November.

The Princess Rooney is seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. It is the 12^th race  with scheduled 

post of 6:02 p.m.

The 4-year-old Birdatthewire and the 5-year-old Cali Star are likely favorites.

Last year at Gulfstream, Birdatthewire won the 1 1/16 mile 

Gulfstream Park Oaks (Grade 2) and Cali Star won the one-mile Rampart (Grade 3).

Trainer Dale Romans has shipped Birdatthewire in from his spring/early summer base at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.  Gulfstream-based Tyler Gaffalione has the mount.

Cali Star is stabled at Gulfstream for trainer Marty Wolfson.  Gulfstream-based Cornelio Velasquez has the mount.

Cali Star and Birdatthewire both have late-running styles. They could benefit from a possible speed duel up front 

involving Concealedwithakiss, My Miss Venezuela and Spelling Again.

Kiss to Remember, another Marty Wolfson trainee, also could be gaining ground down the stretch. Emisael Jaramillo, who led Gulfstream jockeys in wins during the recently concluded spring meet has the mount.

Miller Racing owns Kiss to Remenber. A partnership of Winstar Farm and Larry Taylor owns Cali Star.

My Miss Venezuela is coming off an impressive win in the six-furlong Sea Lily at Gulfstream on June 4 and could be a threat to hit the board—possibly at double-digit odds. Rafael Hernandez will ride for trainer Bruno Tessore.

The winner of the Princess Rooney will earn an entry-fee paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., on Nov. 4

The Smile is six furlongs on dirt for 3-YOs and up. It is the tenth race with scheduled post of 4:58 p.m.  We will have a preview on our blog.

The Smile winner will receive an entry-fee paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

Here are details and scheduled posts for the seven other Gulfstream Summit of Speed Stakes:

*Third race – $75,000 Cassidy, 5 ½ furlongs on dirt, 2-YO fillies

*Fourth race, $100,000 Azalea, 6 furlongs on dirt, 3-YO fillies

*Sixth race -- $75,000 Miesque’s Approval, 1 1/16 miles on turf, 3-YOs and up

*Seventh race -- $75,000 Birdonthewire, 51/2 furlongs  on dirt, 2-YOs

*Eighth race -- $150,000 Carry Back (Grade 3), seven furlongs on dirt, 3-YOs

*Ninth race -- $75,000 Spook Express, 1   1/16 miles on turf, fillies and mares 3-YO and up’

*Eleventh race -- $75,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint, five furlongs on turf, 3-YO and up