Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Gulfstream North Tent Will Be Open This Saturday for Wagering on Preakness and GP West

Beginning Saturday Oct. 3, Gulfstream Park will have its North Tent open to the public on a very limited capacity for wagering on the Gulfstream Park West races, at Calder in Miami Gardens.

On Oct. 3, the North Tent also will have simulcast wagering on the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. Scheduled post for the Preakness is 5:40 p.m.

It will be opening day for the GP West meet, which will have eight races with first post at 12:00 p.m.

The North Tent will be open on each race day at GP West, which is eight miles west of Gulfstream.

GP West will have 41 racing days through Nov. 28. mostly on a Wednesday to Sunday schedule.

The GP West meet will have racing on Monday  Oct. 12 which is Columbus Day. It will not have racing on Wednesday Oct. 14 or on Thursday Nov. 26, which is Thanksgiving Day.

GP West will be closed to spectators during its meet. Owners will be permitted in only on days when they have a horse running.

At its track in Hallandale Beach, Gulfstream will open the North Tent to the public on a first come, first served basis.

Entrance to the tent area will be through the north entrance to the tent area off the north parking lot only.  Gates open at 10:30 am. A Temperature check and screening will be done before entering and guests must always wear their mask.

All guests must be 18 years of age or older.

On Saturday the North Valet, Cash Bar, Grab & Go food menu and Live Tellers will be available.

A limited number of Tables and Chairs meeting social distance requirements will be available, also on a first come, first served basis. 

A Shuttle will be provided from North Tent to the South Valet and Casino Entrance.

For more information call the Gulfstream Box Office at 954-457-6201.

Betting on Gulfstream West races may be done on most Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) Internet and phone services. Many sports books, race tracks and OTB offices have simulcasting on GP West races.

GP West races are streamed on Gulfstream's Web site 


 





 




Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Authentic and Florida-Tied Swiss Skydiver Head 11-Horse Field for Saturday's Preakness

 HRFLA Staff Report

The Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and the star filly Swiss Skydiver  are among eleven horses entered for Saturday's $1 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore.

Entries were drawn on Monday for the Preakness, at 1 3/16 miles on dirt for 3-year-olds. It is the 11th race on Pimlico's Saturday card. Scheduled post is 5:45 p.m., and it will be telecast live on NBC's network stations.

Swiss Skydiver will attempt to become the first filly to win the Preakness since the great Rachel Alexandra in 2009.

This year, Swiss Skydiver has won four graded stakes that were restricted to fillies.  The first of those was the 1 1/16 mile Gulfstream Park Oaks (Grade 2) at Gulfstream on March 28.

She is owned by Peter Callahan, who lives in Palm Beach County, and is trained by Ken McPeek, a regular at Gulfstream during its annual championship meet.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Preakness is third rather than second in order this year for the Triple Crown races--all of which are Grade 1.

Authentic drew post nine and was made the 9-5 morning line favorite by Pimlico linemakers. 

Tiz the Law, who was the betting favorite in the Kentucky Derby and finished second by 1 1/4 lengths, is  not in the Preakness. Trainer Barclay Tagg plans to race him next in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

Art Collector is in post three and is second in the morning line at 5-2.  He missed the Kentucky Derby due to a foot injury.

Art Collector's record this year includes a win in the 1 1/8 mile Blue Grass Stakes (Grade 2) at Keeneland on July 11. Swiss Skydiver finished second by  3 1/2 lengths in that race, as the only filly in a 13-horse field.

Swiss Skydiver and Thousand Words, both at 6-1, are the only other horses lower than 10-1 in the morning line.

Thousand Words fell in the walking ring prior to the Kentucky Derby  on Sept. 5, and was scratched from the race. He has won two stakes races this year, both at 1 1/16 miles at tracks in California.

Bob Baffert trains Thousand Words and Authentic.


The list of entries is below--by post positions, morning line odds, trainers.

Florida Horses

Swiss Skydiver is one of four Preakness entrants that this year raced in Florida at Gulfstream and/or at Tampa Bay Downs.

The others are Ny Traffic, Jesus' Team and Liveyourbeastlife.

Ny Traffic finished second in four graded stakes this  year. He went off at12-1in the Kentucky Derby and was in second place after a half mile before dropping back and finishing eighth.

Some of Ny Traffic's backers are hoping he will not be as close to the front in the Preakness, where it is expected that Art Collector will contest Authentic for the lead.

On July 18, Ny Traffic finished second by  a nose to Authentic after a duel in deep stretch in the 1 1/8 mile Haskell (Grade 1) at Monmouth Park  in Oceanport, N.J.

Liveyourbeastlife and Jesus' Team finished second and third, respectively, in a six-horse field in the Jim Dandy (Grade 2) at Saratoga on Sept. 5.

Liveyourfbeastlife raced three times at Gulfstream this year. All were in $75,000 optional claiming races, with no finishes higher than fourth.

Jesus' Team raced five times (none in stakes)  at Gulfstream this year, with wins in a maiden claiming race and in a $25,000 claiming race.

Both have shown improvement in recent months. But both will no doubt be major longshots against their  more accomplished Preakness rivals.


Pre-Preakness Analysis

Keys to the race could be the absence of Tiz the Law and the presence of Swiss Skydiver.

Tiz the Law this year won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream, the Belmont Stakes and the Travers at Saratoga.  All three are Grade 1 races. 

Both have won races with stalking styles, and now Swiss Skydiver looms as a horse with perhaps the best chance if Authentic and Art Collector get caught in a speed duel.

Mr. Big News and Max Player who finished third and fifth, respectively, in the Kentucky Derby are among horses that could be gaining in the stretch at the Preakness

Baffert said he is comfortable with the nine post for Authentic.

"I'd rather be in 9 than in 1 or 11," he said. "It realy  doesn't matter as long as he breaks OK."

Authentic drew post 18 for the Kentucky Derby. Following scratches, he moved down to 15th--still farthest outside.

The Jockeys

John Velazquez, riding Authentic for the first time in a race, gunned the son of Into Mischief to the lead and was in first place at every call.

Velazquez has the return mount on Saturday.

Regular jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will ride Art Collector for trainer Tom Drury.

McPeek is switching from Tyler Gaffalione to Robby Albarado as ridder on Swiss Skydiver, who has post four.

Gaffalione has ridden Swiss Skydiver four times, with two victories and two second place finishes.

On Sept. 4, Swiss Skydiver had the rail post and finished second by 1 1/2 lengths to Shedaresthedevil in the 1 1/8 mile Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs.  The winning time was a stakes record 1:48.28.

Following the Preakness draw, McPeek told the Pimlico media office that he felt Gaffalione allowed Swiss Skydiver to get pinned near the rail early in the race, and then moved her outside shortly before an opening developed near the rail.

Gaffalione, who has been riding at Churchill Downs and at Belmont Park is among big-name jockeys who are not riding at Pimlico this weekend amid COVID-19 restrictions.

All jockeys riding in races at Pimlico are required to have a COVID-19 test at that track within 72 hours of their first mount. Then, they must wait in isolation until test results are available.

Mike Smith, Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz and Javier Castellano are among regular Triple Crown jockeys who are not riding in the Preakness.


1. Excession (30-1)  Steve Asmussen    Sheldon Russell

2. Mr. Big News (12-1)  Bret Calhoun    Gabriel Saez

3. Art Collector (5-2)  Tom Drury    Brian Hernandez Jr.

4. Swiss Skydiver (6-1)  Kenny McPeek  Robby Albarado

5. Thousand Words (6-1)  Bob Baffert   Florent Geroux

6. Jesus’ Team (30-1)  Jose D’Angelo   Jevian Toledo

7. Ny Traffic (15-1)  Saffie Joseph Jr.    Horacio Karamanos

8. Max Player (15-1) Steve Asmussen   Paco Lopez

9. Authentic (9-5)  Bob Baffert   John Velazquez

10. Pneumatic (20-1)  Steve Asmussen Joe Bravo

11. Liveyourbeastlife (30-1) Jorge Abreu   Junior Alvarado




Monday, September 28, 2020

Gulfstream Total Handle Grew in Spring/Summer, Amid Changes Related to COVID-19 Pandemic

HRFLA Staff Report

Gulfstream Park averaged about $9.5 million in daily total handle during its "no spectators" 2020 spring/summer meet that ended Sunday Sept. 27, according to HorseRacingFLA's preliminary review of Equibase charts.

That wagering was almost a 67 percent increase over the $5.7 million in daily average total handle for the combination of the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track's spring meet and summer meets in 2019, when it had spectators and on-track betting.

But as we are noting, Gulfstream handle is one of  2020's numerous COVID-19 related numbers for which comparisons with previous years have some caveats.

This year's spring/summer meet ran from April 2 through Sept. 27, this past Sunday, and had 107 race days--all without spectators  The two meets last year had a combined 107 days and ran from early April through late September.

The large increase in Gulfstream handle was related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which this year has led to an industry-wide growth in Advance Deposit Wagering (precise numbers not readily available).

It is anticipated that Gulfstream within several days will release handle numbers and other details of its spring/summer meet.

Gulfstream was one of the few U.S. thoroughbred tracks that stayed open for live racing in April and in May. 

Even without on-track wagering, Gulfstream had total handle of more than $10 million most days during those two months. 

In June and throughout the summer, many other U.S. tracks resumed racing. Like Gulfstream they are racing without spectators on site and are depending on Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW), sports books, simulcast wagering at other pari-mutuels and OTB sites for wagering.

During September, Gulfstream's handle numbers have been similar to those of 2019.

Over the last several years, live betting has fallen to less than 10 percent of total handle at many tracks.

This summer, several tracks have reported increases in total handle (also known as all-sources handle) compared with 2019.

Some, most notably Saratoga Race Course, have reported handle numbers similar to 2019.

But it must be noted that the absence of spectators has taken away projected large revenues from concessions, programs, souvenirs, parties and other group events at many tracks.

In addition bets made on-track generate a bigger share of takeout for a track and its horsemen's group than bets made at simulcast sites and on-line.

In most cases with on-track bets, half of takeout goes to the track and half goes to the horsemen's group for future race purses.  That is the case with  Gulfstream and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

On simulcast bets the split of takeout is usually one-third each  for the track providing the signal, its horsemen's group and the track taking the signal.

The percentage of splits varies among ADWs and other sources of wagering.

Later this week, we will haver additional  information on spring/summer meet handle, field sizes and race purses for Gulfstream and elsewhere in thoroughbred racing.

 



 

Gulfstream Mandatory Rainbow 6 Pays $218,767.70; GP West Meet Opens Saturday at Calder

The Rainbow 6 paid $218,767.70 on a 20 cent only bet at Gulfstream Park on Sunday, when it had a mandatory payoff of the jackpot/carryover.

Each of those tickets had all six winning horses in the Rainbow 6 at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track. There were eighteen such tickets, according to HorseRacingFLA's review of Equibase charts.

The Rainbow 6 carryover, built up over 15 race days, was $745,397 going into the Sunday card. Bettors added $3,922,471 to the pool.

A main reason for the relatively low payoff was that Whycantthisbelove, at 32-1, won the 12th and last race.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 11-2-9-4-7-11.  

There were 1,552 live tickets going into the last race. None of those tickets had a horse singled

The winners of the Rainbow 6 races with program numbers in parentheses and final odds were.

7th --  Game Boy Benny (11)  4-1

8th -- Chez Paree (2)  8-1

9rh --    Mo of the West (9)|  7-2

10th -- Yodcl E.A. Who  (4) 8-5

11th -- Remarkable Soul (7) 7-1

12th -- Whycantthisbelove (11) 32-1

Yodel E.A. Who was the only favorite among the winners.

Gulfstream had projected that the Rainbow 6 pool would be about $5 million.  It turned out to be just under $4.7 million.

Gulfstream took out 20 percent of the day's bet. It them combined the remainder with the full carryover--leaving just under $3.9 million in the jackpot for division among winning tickets.

Gulfstream usually makes a jackpot Rainbow 6 payout only on days when there is just one ticket with all six winners.

On days without mandatory payouts that have multiple winning tickets, Gulfstream takes out 20 percent of the new Rainbow 6 bet.  It then divides 56 percent among tickets with the most winning horses (usually six) and adds 24 percent to the carryover.

On Sunday, Gulfstream also had mandatory payoffs on the Late Pick 5 and nn the Super Hi-5.

Wagering on the Late Pick 5 was $236,260--on the last five races.

Tickets with all five winners received $21,516 on the minimum 50  cent bet. Tickets with four winners were paid $166.95 on a 50 cent bet.

In the 12th race, Bella Bionda (2) at 23-1finished second by a neck to Whycantthisbelove.

The order of finish was 11-2-3-5-14.  But no tickets had that combination.

So the winning payoff was 11-2-ALL-ALL-ALL.  Wagering was $6,256 and the return was $985.50 on the minimum $1.00 bet. 

Gulfstream  made those mandatory payouts because Sunday was the closing day of the  spring/summer meet.

The Gulfstream Park West meet, at Calder in Miami Gardens, will open on Saturday Oct. 3.  A  Florida law prohibits pari-mutuels from extending any carryovers into a successive meet.

GP West will begin new pools in those bets on Saturday. 

First post will be  12:00 p.m. on Saturday and on most days during the meet. Entries for Saturday will be out on Wednesday afternoon.

GP West will offer 41 programs through Nov. 26. Racing will be conducted five days a week at Gulfstream Park West on a Wednesday-through-Sunday schedule with one exception.  A special Columbus Day program will be conducted on Monday, Oct. 12 instead of Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Due to Covid-19 protocols, racing will be conducted without spectators and will have no live betting. Owners will be allowed to attend the races only on the days their horses are scheduled to run.

The Gulfstream Park West races will be streamed on these Gulfstream web sites: https://www.gulfstreampark.com/ https://1stbet.com/https://www.xpressbet.com/

Betting on GP West races may be done on most Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) Internet and phone services. Many sports books, race tracks and OTB offices have simulcasting on GP West races.

Live racing will return to Gulfstream Park in December for the 2020-2021`championship  meet.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Rainbow 6: No Horses Singled as Last Race Approaches

Sunday's 12th and final race is coming up at Gulfstream , to complete the Rainbow 6 with  a mandatory payout of the jackpot.

There are 1,552 live tickets. None of those tickets have a horse singled

Here are the winners of the first five races in the Rainbow 6, with program numbers in parentheses.

7th --  Game Boy Benny (11)  4-1

8th -- Chez Paree (2)  8-1

9rh --    Mo of the West (9)|  7-2

10th -- Yodcl E.A. Who  (4) 8-1

11th -- Remarkable Soul (7) 7-1

The carryover coming in was $745,537.

Bettors added $3,922,471.

Tickets with all six winners will divide about $3.9 million.  That is the entire carryover plus 80 percent of the day's bet (20 percent takeout).


Rainbow 6 Pool Grows by Almost $ 4 million

Game Boy Benny (11), at 4-1, won Sunday's seventh race at Gulfstream to star the Rainbow  that  has a mandatory payout of the jackpot/carryover--no matter the number of tickets with all six winners.  

The carryover coming in was $745,537.

Bettors added $3,922,471.

Tickets with all six winners will divide about $3.9 million.  That is the entire carryover plus 80 percent of the day's bet (20 percent takeout).

The Late Pick 5 is coming up, with a guaranteed mandatory payout. It is a 50 cent minimum bet.

 

Guide to Handicapping Gulfstream's Rainbow 6

Gulfstream Park's mandatory payout Rainbow 6 begins on today's seventh race, with scheduled post of 3:22 p.m.

First post is 12:00 p.m. for the 12-race card on closing day of the spring/summer meet.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $745,537.    Gulfstream officials expect that as much as $5 million will be bet on the Rainbow 6 today. 

It is a 20 cents per combination-only bet. Multiple horses can be included in each race.

Skies were clear at and around Gulfstream, in Hallandale Beach, Fla., at 10:00 a.m.

The Weather Channel forecast is for the chance of rain to range between 15 percent and 25 percent during racing hours.


On this blog we will have information on track conditions when it is available, and we will have race coverage during the afternoon.

This link https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexGP092720USA-EQB.html to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Sunday, including scratches. It has click-ons for handicapping material--some free and some at cost.

This linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuBKG5_Oq2g&feature=youtu.be is to a  video of Gulfstream TV analysts Jason Blewitt and Ron Nicoletti making their picks for the Rainbow 6,

Gulfstream will pay out its Rainbow 6 jackpot (full carryover plus 80 percent of today's new Rainbow 6 bets) regardless of the number of tickets with all six winners. 

Gulfstream also will have mandatory payouts--i.e. no carryovers--on the Late Pick 5 and on the Super Hi-5 in the 12th race.

The Gulfstream Park West meet, at Calder in Miami Gardens, will open on Saturday Oct. 3.  A Florida law prohibits pari-mutuels from continuing a carryover into a successive meet.

*Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfstream remains closed to bettors and thus has no on-site wagering.

Betting on Gulfstream races may be done on most Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) Internet and phone services. Many sports books, race tracks and OTB offices have simulcasting on Gulfstream races.



 





 



Saturday, September 26, 2020

Gulfstream: Pool of Up to $5 Million Expected for Sunday's Mandatory Rainbow 6 Payout

Gulfstream Park will have a carryover of  $745,537 on its Rainbow 6 on Sunday--when it will have a mandatory payout on that bet's jackpot no matter the number of tickets with all six winning horses.

Because of the size of the carryover and the attraction of the mandatory payout, Gulfstream officials are projecting that the Rainbow 6 will have as much as $5 million in new bets on Sunday.

Gulfstream will have twelve races, with first post of 12:00 p.m.  None of the races are stakes.

Sunday will be closing day  of Gulfstream's spring/summer meet.  It will also have  mandatory payouts on the Late Pick 5 and in the Super Hi-5.

The Gulfstream Park West meet, at Calder in Miami Gardens, will open on Saturday Oct. 3.  A  Florida law prohibits pari-mutuels from extending any carryovers into a successive meet.

The Sunday Rainbow 6 will be on races seven to twelve with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:22 p.m.

It is a 20 cents per combination-only bet. Multiple horses can be included in each race.

The Rainbow 6 jackpot consists of the entire coming-in carryover plus 80 percent of the day's new Rainbow 6 bets (20 percent takeout).

Gulfstream usually makes that payout only on days when there is just one ticket with all six winners.

On days without mandatory payouts that have multiple winning tickets, Gulfstream takes out 20 percent of the new Rainbow 6 bet.  It then divides 56 percent among tickets with the most winning horses (usually six) and adds 24 percent to the carryover.

On Sunday, Gulfstream will divide the jackpot among all tickets with the most winners (likely six).

Each winning ticket on Saturday's Rainbow 6 won $276.22 on a 20 cent bet. There were 632 such tickets.

The reason for the relatively large number of winning tickets and the relatively low winning price was that heavy rain began falling before the eighth race (second Rainbow 6 race) and Gulfstream moved the ninth and eleventh races off the turf.

When Gulfstream makes that switch after the start of the Rainbow 6, it gives all live tickets an ALL in the off-turf race.

The winning combination on Saturday  was 5-7-7-ALL-5-ALL.

The last six races were stakes. That included the 10th race, the $400,000 In Reality in which 12-1 shot Boca Boy led at every call and beat the 1-5 favorite Breeze on By in the 1 1/16 mile dirt stakes.

That spoiled Breeze on By's bid to sweep the three races in the male division of the Florida Sire Stakes series.

On Sunday, we will have a report on all six of Saturday's stakes races.




 

Breeze on By Favored in Slop in the In Reality

Rain is falling  at Gulfstream and the track is listed as Sloppy and is sealed as the $400,000 In Reality Stakes nears its 4:59 scheduled post.

Breeze on By, as expected, is the odds-on favorite as he seeks  a sweep in the male division of the Florida Sire Stakes series.

He won the first race in the series, the six-furlong Dr. Fager on a sloppy track on Aug. 1. The Gulfstream track was dry and fast when he won the seven-furlong Affirmed on Aug. 29.

Gatsby, who finished second  in the Dr. Fager and fifth in the Affirmed, is back for the In Reality.


 

Gulfstream: Three Scheduled-for-Turf Stakes Stay on that Surface

The third race is coming up at Gulfstream and it has been moved from the turf to the dirt track, which is listed as Fast.

Skies are clear at Gulfstream, and the turf is listed as Firm.

The third race is a $22,000 claimer.  By taking it off turf, Gulfstream is aiding the drying out process from Friday's rain.

The seventh, ninth and eleventh races are stakes races that are staying on turf.

The Rainbow 6 begins on the sixth race, with  scheduled post at 2:50  p.m.

All of today's Rainbow 6 races are stakes.

The Rainbow 6 has a carryover of $670,605. 

Gulfstream has a mandatory payout on Sunday's Rainbow 6.  If there are multiple winning tickets today, the carryover for Sunday likely will be in the $800,000 range and Sunday's wagering on the Rainbow 6. 

Today's eighth race is the $400,000 My Dear Girl at 1 1/16 miles on dirt for 2-YO fillies that are Florida-breds.

It is the final leg in the fillies division of the Florida Sire Stakes series. Scheduled post is 3:55 p.m.

Today's 10th race is the $400,000 In Reality at  1 1/16 miles on dirt for 2-YO males that are Florida-breds.

It is the third and final leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series male division.  Breeze on By will be seeking a sweep of the three-race series.

Scheduled post is 4:59 p.m.

 


Gulfstream Saturday: Card with Six Stakes Races Headed by SIre Stakes Finales

Gulfstream Park will have six stakes races on its 11-race Saturday card, which has first post at 12:00 p.m.

The Hallandale Beach, Fla., track will close its spring/summer meet on Sunday with  mandatory payouts on the Rainbow 6, Late Pick 5 and Super Hi-5.

If the Rainbow 6 jackpot (carryover plus 80 percent of the day's bet) is not taken down on Saturday, the carryover likely will be above $800,000 and Gulfstream expects that will attract $4 million or more in Rainbow 6 bets.

The Gulfstream Park West meet, at Calder in Miami Gardens, will open on Saturday Oct. 3.  A Florida law prohibits pari-mutuels from continuing a carryover into a successive meet.

The Saturday stakes are races six to eleven, with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:50 p.m.

We will have previews and other coverage later this morning and this afternoon. Those reports will be mostly on this blog.

The stakes races comprise the Rainbow 6, which has a carryover of $670,605. It is a 20 cents per combination-only bet.

Co-features are the $400,000 In Reality for 2-YO males and the $400,000 My Dear Girl for 2-YO fillies. 

Both races are 1 1/16 miles on dirt and are the third and final legs of the Florida Sire Stakes series. Those races ae restricted to Florida-breds that are sons or daughters of Florida-registered stallions whose owners have paid fees for eligibility for the program, which includes breeders' and owners' awards as well as purse money.


This linkhttps://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexGP092620USA-EQB.htmlto the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Saturday.  It has click-ons for handicapping material, some for free and some at cost.

The stakes races are:
*6th -- $150,000 Wildcat Heir, 3-YO, one mile on dirt

*7th -- $75,000 Hollywood Beach, 5 furlongs on turf, 2-YO

*8th -- $400,000 My Dear Girl, 1 1/16 miles dirt, 2-YO fillies

*9th -- $75,000 Armed Forces, one mile turf, 2-YO

*10th -- $400,000 In Reality, 1 1/16 miles dirt, 2-YO

*11th -- $75,000 Our Dear Peggy. one mile turf, 2-YO fillies 

Due to rain, Gulfstream moved all four of its scheduled-for-turf races to the dirt track where conditions ranged from Fast to Sloppy.

As of 10 a.m. skies were clear at and around Gulfstream. leading to the prospect that Saturday races will stay on turf.

However, the Weather Channel forecast for Saturday is for a 45 percent chance of thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
*Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfstream remains closed to bettors and thus has no on-site wagering.

Betting on Gulfstream races may be done on most Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) Internet and phone services. Many sports books, race tracks and OTB offices have simulcasting on Gulfstream races.



 





 

Friday, September 25, 2020

GP: Rain Has Arrived as Rainbow 6 Approaches

Heavy rain has started at Gulfstream as the fourth race approaches, with post time around 1:50 p.m.

It will start the Rainbow 6, with a carryover of $636,677. Gulfstream has guaranteed that the jackpot pool will be at least $900,000 if there are no tickets with all six winning horses.

Races 5, 7 and 9 are off the turf.

The dirt has been upgraded to Fast. But that could be changed if rain continues.




 

Gulfstream Scratches and Changes for Friday

Gulfstream's Friday card is underway, with the dirt track listed as Good.

As we reported this morning, all four scheduled for turf races have been moved to the  dirt.  Those are the first, third, fifth and seventh races.

This link https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexGP092520USA-EQB.htm to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Friday.

It has a click-on for scratches and other changes, and click-ons for handicapping materials--some free and some at cost.

 

Gulfstream Off the Turf for Friday

Due to overnight rain, there will be no turf racing at Gulfstream Park on Friday.

The first, third, fifth and seventh races have been  moved to the dirt track.

First post is at 12:00 p.m. for the nine-race card.

As of 10:45 p.m., skies were clear at and around Gulfstream in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The chance of thunderstorms ranges as high as 85 percent during racing hours.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $636,677.  The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races four to nine.

On Saturday, Gulfstream will have six stakes races. The co-features are the $400,000 In Reality for 2-YO males and the $400,000 My Dear Girl for 2-YO fillies.  Those are the final legs in the Florida Sire Stakes series.

Sunday will be closing day for the spring/summer meet and Gulfstream will have mandatory payoffs on the Rainbow 6, Late Pick 5 and Super Hi-5.

The Gulfstream Park West meet, at Calder in Miami Gardens, will open on Saturday Oct. 3.

We will have more details on these stories this afternoon on this blog. 




Thursday, September 24, 2020

Gulfstream Fast and Firm for Thursday Card; Sire Stakes, Mandatory Payout on Weekend

The dirt track is listed as Fast and the Turf course is listed as Firm for Thursday's nine-race card at Gulfstream Park.

First post time is 12:00 p.m. at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track.

The Weather Channel forecast is that the chance of rain will increase from 15 percent to 35 percent during racing hours.

The Rainbow 6  carryover, now twelve race days old, is $592,479. That 20 cent per combination-only  bet will be on races four to nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:40 p.m.  Gulfstream has guaranteed that the jackpot pool will be at least $850,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses.

This Saturday, Sept. 26, will be the biggest stakes day of the spring/summer meet. Gulfstream will have six stakes races--topped by the two closing legs in the annual Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds. 

Both races have $400,000 purses and are 1 1/16  miles on dirt.

In the males division, unbeaten Breeze on By heads the field in the In Reality--which has a nine-horse field. Breeze on By is going for a series sweep, following his wins in the $100,000 Dr. Fager at six furlongs and in the $200,000 Affirmed at seven furlongs.

In the fillies division's My Dear Girl, the field includes the winners of this year's first  two FSS races.  They are Go Jo Jo Go, who won the six-furlong Desert Vixen, and Princess Secret, who won the seven-furlong Susan's Girl.

This Sunday Sept. 27, Gulfstream will have a mandatory payout on its Rainbow 6 jackpot--regardless of the number of tickets with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.

The jackpot consists of the entire Rainbow 6 carryover plus 80 percent of the day's new Rainbow 6 bets. There is a 20 percent takeout. 

Gulfstream usually pays out that jackpot only if there is just one ticket with all six winners. On most days with multiple winning tickets, the carryover grows by 24 percent. The current carryover has built up over twelve days.

A Florida law prohibits Gulfstream from extending any carryovers into the Gulfstream Park West meet that will begin on Oct. 3.

So, if the carryover keeps growing into next  Sunday it could be as high as $1 million, with the prospect that as much as $5 million will be bet on the Rainbow  6.

It is a situation where many bettors who have not been playing the Rainbow 6 will jump in, hoping to win some of the money that others have lost. 


Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Tiz the Law Will Not Run in Oct. 3 Preakness; Authentic Will Run Swiss Skydiver Possible

 Tiz the Law, winner of this year's Belmont Stakes  and second place finisher in the Kentucky Derby will not run in the $1 million Preakness Stakes on Oct. 3.

Barclay Tagg, the trainer of Tiz the Law, announced that decision on Tuesday. He said he expects that Tiz the Law will race next in the Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) to be run on Nov. 7 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

Tiz the Law has been displaying some stiffness since the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5, but otherwise is fine physically, Tagg told Daily Racing Form.

Authentic, the second betting choice, beat the favored Tiz the Law by 1 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/4 mile Kentucky Derby.

The loss was the first for Tiz the Law this year.  He  won the Holy Bull (Grade 3) and Florida Derby (Grade 1) at Gulfstream and the Travers (Grade 1) at Saratoga.

Trainer Bob Baffert is planning to run Authentic and Thousand Words in the Preakness. Thousand Words fell in the saddling area prior to the Kentucky Derby and was scratched from the race.

A field of between ten and twelve horses is expected for the Preakness, according to officials at Pimlico in Baltimore.

Post positions will be drawn on Wednesday Sept. 30.

Mr. Big News, who finished third at 46-1 in the Kentucky Derby, is an almost certain Preakness starter.

Honor A.P., fourth in the Kentucky Derby, has been retired to stud.

Possible Entries

Horses listed as either likely or possible are Art Collector, King Guillermo, Dr Post, Happy Saver, Pneumatic, Jesus' Team, Finnick the Fierce, Shirl's Speight, Mongoian Wind, Lebda and the filly Swiss Skydiver.

Post positions will be drawn on Wednesday afternoon.


Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's order of the Triple Crown races for 3-YOs (all Grade 1) has been changed from the traditional Derby-Preakness-Belmont.

Dr Post. Jesus' Team, King Guillermo and Swiss Skydiver all raced at Gulfstream and/or at Tampa Bay Downs at least once this year.

The Preakness is one of three races that trainer Ken McPeek has under consideration for Swiss Skydiver.

Swiss Skydiver, owned by Peter Callahan of Palm Beach County in Florida, won the Gulfstream Park Oaks (Grade 2) on March 28.

She later won graded stakes for fillies at three other tracks and finished second to Art Collector in the Blue Grass (Grade 2) at Keeneland, as the only filly in the 13-horse field.

Swiss Skydiver was the second betting choice at 2-1 in the Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 4.

Shedaresthedevil, at 15-1, led at every call and won in a stakes record time of 1:48.28. Swiss Skydiver was second by 1 1/2 lengths. Gamine, the 3-5 favorite trained by Baffert, finished another 1 1/2 length back in third.

Gamine and Shedaresthedevil are not under consideration for the Preakness.

Whither Swiss Skydiver?

In press reports and onTwitter, McPeek has said that in addition o to the Preakness he is considering Swiss Skydiver for two Grade 1 stakes at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

The Spinster, at 1 1/8 miles on dirt for fillies and mares 3-YO and up, will be run on Oct. 3

The QE 11, at 1 1/8 miles on turf for 3-YO  fillies, will be on Oct. 10.

McPeek has said the absence of Tiz the Law might raise the prospect of running Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness. She has won stakes races gate-to-wire and by stalking a fast pace.

Authentic won the Kentucky Derby in 2:00.61- -the sixth fastest time in the history of the race.

He led at every call, not loose on the lead but ahead by a length or more until the final turn when Tiz the Law made his expected move.

Tiz the Law moved to within a half-length, before  Authentic pulled away in the stretch.

There could be a fierce battle for the Preakness lead if Art Collector and/or King Guillermo are in the field.

Art Collector won the Blue Grass gate to  wire. He was scratched on the morning of the Kentucky Derby because of a foot injury that apparently has healed.

King Guillermo was the front-running winner of  this year's Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2). Several days before the Kentucky Derby, he was scratched due to a fever.  



Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Gulfstream: An Early Look at Saturday Stakes

Entries will be out on Wednesday afternoon for the six stakes races that will be run at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

The co-features are the $400,000 In Reality for 2-year-old males and the $400,000 My Dear Girl for 2-year-old fillies.

Both are  1 1/16 miles on dirt and are the third and final legs of the annual Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) series. Those races are restricted to Florida-breds that are  progeny of Florida-registered stallions and meet  a series of other eligibility  requirements.

Cajun Breeze will be going for a sweep in the male division. Go Jo Jo Go  and Princess Secret each have a win in the fillies division, and both are expected for the My Dear Girl.

The Saturday card also has this year's first FSS race for 3-year-olds.

It is the $150,000 Wildcat Heir, at one mile on dirt for 3-year-olds and up.

Two other FSS races will be run at Tampa Bay Downs in December, with the date to be  determined.

The Marion County will be seven furlongs on dirt for 3-YOs and up, and the City of Ocala swill be seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

The three other stakes at Gulfstream this Saturday are:
* $75,000 Armed Forces -- one mile on turf, 2-YOs

* $75,000 Our Dear Peggy -- one mile turf, 2-YO  fillies

* $75,000 Hollywood Wildcat -- five furlongs turf, 2-O.

On Sunday at Gulfstream, the gelding Breeze on By breezed a half mile in 48.48 seconds in his final timed workout for the In Reality. It was the fifth fastest of the day's 36 workouts at that distance.

Breeze on By, owned by Stonehedge LLC, is undefeated in three career starts.

Breeze on By won the $100,000 Dr. Fager at six furlongs by a length over Gatsby on Aug. 1.  He won the the 7 furlong Affirmed by 7  1/2 lengths over stablemate Big Daddy Dave.

On Sunday, Big Daddy Dave breezed three furlongs in 36.83 seconds at Gulfstream in preparation for the Hollywood Wildcat.

The FSS races are coordinated and sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association in conjunction with Gulfstream and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.






 

Monday, September 21, 2020

GP: Thursday Rainbow 6 Carryover is $592,000; Sire Stakes, Mandatory Payout Coming Up

Gulfstream Park will be dark this Monday through Wednesday, and then begin a stretch of four straight race days that will end its spring/summer meet.

On Thursday, the Hallandale Beach, FLa., track will have a first post of 12:00 p.m. for a nine-race card. 

It will have a Rainbow 6  carryover of $592,479. That 20 cent per combination-only  bet will be on races four to nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:40 p.m.

The closing Saturday, Sept. 26, will be the biggest stakes day of the meet. Gulfstream will have six stakes races--topped by the two closing legs in the annual Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds. 

On Tuesday, we will have the first in our series of previews on those stakes races.

On Sunday Sept. 27, Gulfstream will have a mandatory payout on its Rainbow 6 jackpot--regardless of the number of tickets with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.

The jackpot consists of the entire Rainbow 6 carryover plus 80 percent of the day's new Rainbow 6 bets. There is a 20 percent takeout. 

Gulfstream usually pays out that jackpot only if there is just one ticket with all six winners. On most days with multiple winning tickets, the carryover grows by 24 percent. The current carryover has built up over twelve days.

A Florida law prohibits Gulfstream from extending any carryovers into the Gulfstream Park West meet that will begin on Oct. 3.

So, if the carryover keeps growing into next  Sunday it could be as high as $1 million, with the prospect that as much as $5 million will be bet on the Rainbow  6.

It is a situation where many bettors who have not been playing the Rainbow 6 will jump in, hoping to win some of the money that others have lost. 

* On Sunday, each  ticket with all six Rainbow 6 winners paid $2,505.54 on the 20 cent bet.

There were 63 such combinations, according to HorseRacingFLA|'s review of Equibase charts.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 2-1-7-6-6-2.

The carryover coming in was $525,602.

Bettors added $278,751 to the Rainbow 6. Of that, Gulfstream took out 20 percent and then divided 56 percent among tickets with six winners and added 24 percent to the carryover.

*Our review of Equibase charts shows that total handle for Gulfstream's ten races was approximately $5.9 million this past Sunday. 

That is about 15 percent more than the $5.1 million that Gulfstream reported for Sept. 22, 2019--the comparable Sunday  last year.

Both days had ten races, with similar cards and no stakes races.  Conditions were Fast and Firm on both days.

One difference is that Gulfstream last September was open for spectators and live wagering. This year, due  to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been closed to spectators and has not had live wagering since late March.

Our examination of Equibase charts indicates that Gulfstream is among tracks where handle has been higher on many dates this year than on comparable days in 2019.

While precise numbers are not always available, increases in Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) have in many cases more than made up for the loss of live handle.

But it should be noted that the absence of spectators and live betting takes away projected revenues on program sales, concessions and group events at Gulfstream and at other tracks.

In addition, a track's share of takeout is higher on bets made on-track than on bets made on ADWs and at simulcast locations such as other tracks.

Starting later this week, we will have additional details on recent wagering at Gulfstream and at other tracks.

 






























Sunday, September 20, 2020

GP: Mandatory Rainbow 6 Payout on Sept. 27; Carryover for Today is $525,000

First post of 12:00 p.m. is approaching for Gulfstream Park's ten-race Sunday card where the main betting attraction  is a $525,602 carryover on the Rainbow 6.

Conditions are listed as Fast and Firm.

As of 10:00 a.m., skies are clear at Gulfstream in Hallandale Beach, Fla.  The Weather Channel forecast is for just a ten percent chance of rain during racing hours.

And another potential frenzy is building on the Rainbow 6, because on Sunday Sept. 27 Gulfstream will have a mandatory payout of its jackpot--regardless of the  number of tickets with all six winning horses. 

If the carryover continues into Sept. 27 it could be as high as $1 million, with the prospect that as much as $5 million wil be bet on the Rainbow  6. 

The jackpot consists of the entire Rainbow 6 carryover plus 80 percent of the day's new Rainbow 6 bets. 

Gulfstream usually pays out the Rainbow 6 jackpot only if there is just one ticket with all six winners. On most days with multiple winning tickets, the carryover grows by 24 percent. The current carryover has built up over eleven days.

Sept, 27 is the final day of Gulfstream's spring /summer meet.  A Florida law prohibits Gulfstream from extending any carryovers into the Gulfstream Park West meet that will begin on Oct. 3.

The first race on Sunday has a Super Hi-5 carryover of $4,514.  It is a $47,000 maiden special weight at five furlongs on turf for 3-YO and up.  There are nine entrants, and a maximum of eight horses can start.

The Rainbow 6 is on races five to ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:20 p.m.

Gulfstream has guaranteed that the jackpot pool  will be at least $800,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winners.  If the total is less than $800,000 Gulfstream will make up the difference.


On Saturday, each ticket with all six winning horses won $10,855.68 on the 20 cent per combination-only bet.

HRFLA's review of Equibase charts shows there were 14 such tickets.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 7-6-1-5-1-9.

The relatively high payoff and relatively lows number of winning tickets was due largely to the 22-1 shot Taamer winning the seventh race (first Rainbow6 leg).  All other Rainbow 6 winners were at single digit odds, including two favorites.

Bettors added $275,195 to the Rainbow 6.  Of that, Gulfstream took out 20 percent and then divided 56 percent among tickets with six winners while adding 24 percent to the carryover.

* Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfstream remains closed to bettors and thus has no on-site wagering.

Betting on Gulfstream races may be done on most Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) Internet and phone services. Many sports books, race tracks and OTB offices have simulcasting on Gulfstream races.



 


Saturday, September 19, 2020

Scratch Leads to Change in Final Race Pick

With the 12th race approaching, there is one ticket with a horse singled in the  Rainbow 6. That is the 10 Gimmeabreak.

There are 138 live tickets.


Violent  Fight (13), our pick to win the 12th and final race at Gulfstream, has been scratched.

So we are changing that pick to Senzazione (2) and putting him in an exacta box with Ima Coalman (5), Chaos Kid (9)  and Storm Risk (11).

* $5 WPS  2

* $1 exacta  box  2  5  9  11

* $1 tri  part wheel  2  11  with 2  911  with 2  5 9 11

  

Violent Fight is Our Saturday "Gettin' Out Alive" Pick

Saturday's 12th and  final race at Gulfstream is  $12,500  claimer with a $19,000 purse, at one  mile on turf for 3-YO and up that have never won two  races.

Hubba Bubba (8) has scratched and Violent  Fight (13) has drawn in and likely will be the  favorite.  There are 12 entrants.

Scheduled post is 5:52 p.m.  But due to several  delays, it likely will be  around 6:15.

We are picking Violent Fight, who has the best numbers in this group and should be able to  deal with the outside post. Leonel Reyes  rides for  trainer Oscar Gonzales.

We also are puttng Senzazione (2), Ima Coalman  (5), Chaos Kid (9) and Storm Risk  (11) in the mix.

* $3 WPS 13

* $1 exacta  box    2  5   11  13

* $1 exacta  part wheel

2 13 with    2  9 11  13

$ $1 tri part  wheel

2  13 with    2  11  13  with  2 5  9  11  13

NOTE  -- we have a mental bet stake of $500  for the final three weeks of the Gulfstream spring/summer meet which will end on Sept. 27

Through Wednesday, our  bets have totaled  $167 with a return  of $80.55.

Our bankroll going into today is $413.55.  


A Look at Rainbow 6, With Yes I Am Free Picked to Win Feature

There is still time to handicap today's Rainbow 6 at Gulfstream, and from our perspective it looks like a day where it will be difficult to find horses to single.

It begins on the seventh race, with scheduled post at 3:22.  As usual, Gulfstream is running several  minutes late.  And you can expect them to milk the clock before the seventh to draw more money into the Rainbow 6.

This link https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexGP091920USA-EQB.html

 to the Equibase Web site has today's Gulfstream entries, with scratches.  There are click-ons for handicapping material--some for free. some at cost.

At about 3:30, we will post our selections for the 12th and final race in our new "Gettin' Out Alive" feature.

Predicted finish: Yes I Am Free (2), Pay Any Price (7), Fully Loaded (6), Tench (3).


GP Saturday: Pay Any Price Returns in Feature; Rainbow 6 Carryover is $458,653

The betting attractions at Gulfstream Park on Saturday will be a Rainbow 6 carryover that has grown to $458,653 and the return of turf course sprint recordholder  Pay Any Price in the  featured eighth race.

The Hallandale Beach, Fla., track  will have twelve races with first post of 12:00 p.m.

Conditions are listed as Fast and Firm. The Weather Channel forecast is for the chance of rain to rise from 10 percent to 50 percent during racing hours.

The Rainbow 6, a 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on races seven to  twelve--with the sequence see to start at 3:22 p.m.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be at leas $750,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winners.

Pay Any Price, a 10-year-old gelding, is coming off an 11-week layoff and will be seeking his 20th career win. He is among seven entrants in the eighth race--a $62,500 optional claimer with a $48,000 purse at five furlongs on  turf for 3-YO and up.

Edgard Zayas will ride Pay Any Price for trainer Georgina Baxter and owners Averill Racing and Matties Racing Stable.

Pay Any Price has won most of his races gate-to-wire. Today's field has Fully Loaded and Max K.O., two other contenders with early speed.  Lahinch and Yes I Am Free should be gaining in the stretch.

Pay Any Price set the Gulfstream Park record for five-furlongs on turf (53.61 seconds) in 2017 while winning the Silks Run. He is coming off a triumph in the Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint on July 5 at Gulfstream.

* On Friday, each Rainbow 6 ticket with all six winners won $3,079.68 on a 20 cent bet.

HRFLA's review of Equibase charts shows there were 33 such tickets.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 8-5-9- 5-5-3.  Three winners were betting favorites, and the highest odds on a winner in the sequence was 14-1.

 There were 50 starters in the eight races.
Wagering on the Rainbow 6 was $183,503. Of that, Gulfstream took out 20 percent and then divided 56 percent among tickets with six winners and added 24 percent to the carryover.

Early this afternoon. We will have additional information on the Rainbow 6, including the feature with Pay Any Price.



* Gladys, a full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexander, made her debut in Friday's sixth  race and finished eighth in the nine-horse field.

Gladys broke awkwardly from the starting gate and was never a factor. Pens Street registered a 14-1 upset victory in the six-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies. 

Pens Street, also making her first won in a relatively slow 1:12.40 on the track listed as Fast. Trained by Rohan Crichton, daughter of Street Sense rallied from off the pace to catch 4-5 favorite Speeding in the stretch to prevail by a neck.
Gladys, the 4-1 second choice, finished 16 1/2 lengths behind Pens Street.

Angel Arroyo rode the Kentucky-bred Gladys for trainer Kelsey Danner for owner/breeder Dede Mc Gehee.

Medaglia d'Oro was a multiple graded stakes winner between 2002 and 2004. His wins included the 2004 Donn Handicap (Grade 1) at  1 1/8 miles on dirt at Gulfstream.

His stud fee for Gladys was $200,000 and it remains at that price

Medaglia d'Oro has sired approximately 25 Grade 1 winners.  Songbird, Plum Pretty, Violence and Msahwish are among them.

* Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfstream remains closed to bettors and thus has no on-site wagering.

Betting on Gulfstream races may be done on most Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) Internet and phone services. Many sports books, race tracks and OTB offices have simulcasting on Gulfstream races.



 









Friday, September 18, 2020

Yafa is Our Pick in GP Friday Finale

Friday's ninth and final race at Gulfstream is a $40,000 maiden claimer at one mile on a Firm turf course for 2-YO fillies.

We are going  with Yafa (3) as our win pick, joining many others.  She has a second place finish at one mile on turf in a $65,000 MSW race.

In the exacta box we have Maria's Mirage (2)  and Learnt (8) who have raced and look like they might last the mile better than most of the first-time starters.  Among those, Silver Sky Smooth (6) looks best to us--based on breeding and turf workouts at Palm Meadows.

Based partly on workouts, we have V K Star (10) and Miss Melania in the mix.


Suggested bets:
* $5 WPS    3

* $3 Show  6

* $1 exacta box 2  3   6 8

$1 exacta part wheel

3  with  2 6 8  10  11

*1 tri part wheel  3  6  with 3 6 8  with   2  3 6 8 10  11


Thursday's Results

Our $41 in bets went down the drain when our key horses Queen Letizia (11) and Gravel Gertie (9) finished off the board.

We have staked ourselvcs with a mythical $500 for the final weeks of the Gulfstream spring/summer meet.

We have bet $116. with a return of $61.80.

The bankroll is $438.20.



 

Rainbow 6 Starts With Win by 6-1 Shot

Starship Aramis (8), at 6-1, won Friday's fourth race at Gulfstream to start the Rainbow 6.

The carryover coming in  was $415,638.  Bettors added $183,053 to the Rainbow  6.

Gulfstream has guaranteed that the jackpot pool for today's Rainbow 6 will be at least $650,000 if there is just one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.

Thus, Gulfstream will need to put in about $50,000 of its own money if there is a single ticket winner.

Gulfstream has gone nine straight days with multiple winning Rainbow 6 tickets--leading to the growth of the carryover.




 



GP Friday: Sister of Rachel Alexandra to Debut; Rainbow 6 Carryover is $415,368

The debut of the 2-year-old filly Gladys, a full  sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, and a Rainbow 6 carry that has grown to $415,638  loom as highlights for Friday at Gulfstream Park.

The Hallandale Beach, Fla., track will have ten races with first post of 12:00 p.m.

Conditions are listed as Fast  and Firm. The Weather Channel forecast is for the chance of rain to grow from 15 percent to 50 percent during racing hours.

The first race has a Super Hi-5 carryover of $5,304.

The Rainbow 6 is on races four to nine with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:50 p.m. 

We will have more details on the Rainbow 6 this afternoon on this blog.

Gladys, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is slated to break from the outside post position in a field of 10 2-year-old fillies assembled for a $65,000 six-furlong maiden special weight race carded as Race 6. Scheduled post is 2:50 p.m.

Gladys was named by owner/breeder Dede Mc Gehee, a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in memory of her late maternal grandmother, Gladys Atkinson Houser.

Gladys is the eighth foal out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of Roar whose first foal was Rachel Alexandra, who was named 2009 Horse of the Year after winning five Grade 1 races in a row, including the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward against males and the Kentucky Oaks.

The Kentucky-bred Gladys, who is trained by Kelsey Danner, has been prepared for her debut with a series of 10 breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Angel Arroyo has the mount.

Medaglia d'Oro was a multiple graded stakes winner between 2002 and 2004. His wins included the 2004 Donn Handicap (Grade 1) at  1 1/8 miles on dirt at Gulfstream.

His stud fee for Gladys was $200,000 and it remains at that price

Medaglia d'Oro has sired approximately 25 Grade 1 winners.  Songbird, Plum Pretty, Violence and Msahwish are among them.


 





















Thursday, September 17, 2020

Queen Letizia is Our Pick in GP Finale

Thursday's ninth and last race at Gulfstream is a rematch of the second  through fifth place finishers in race with identical conditions three weeks ago at Gulfstream.

Scheduled post is 4:14 p.m.

Today's finale and the first race on Aug. 27 are both $12,500 maiden claimers at five furlongs on turf for fillies and mares 3-YO and up. Today's rematch, like the race three weeks ago, has twelve starters on a course listed as Firm.

The second through fifth place finishers (with today's program numbers in parentheses) were: Gravel Gertie (9), Queen Letizia (11), Flat Out Cool (5)  and Aunt Irene (1).

Flat Out Cool led until deep stretch, before being passed by More Diamonds.  That horse finished a length ahead of late-running Gravel Gertie with a time of 56.60 that produced  a weak Equibase Speed Figure of 60.

Queen Letizia and Aunt Irene also passed horses in the stretch. Second through fifth places were separated by 1 1/2 lengths.

We are going with the above four horses in an exacta box, along with three hedge bets. Queen Letizia is our pick to win. Cristian Torres has the return mount for trainer Victor Barboza Jr.

Two other fillies to consider are Our Little Devil (12) and Bend the Knee (10).

Our Little Devil is a daughter of Daredevil.  That horse also is the sire of Shedaresthedevil and Swiss Skydiver--the one-two finishers in the Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) on Sept. 4.

Our Little Devil, trained by William Deaton, will probably contest Flat Out Cool for the lead. A key will be how fast Alberto Burgos, a seven-pound apprentice gets her into the first flight from the outside post.

Bend the Knee is shipping in from Evangeline in Louisiana, where she finished second at five furlongs on dirt. Trainer and co-owner Carl Deville has Edgard Zayas, the wins leader in the current Gulfstream meet, as rider.


Through three days of "Gettin' Out Alive" we have bet $75 with a return of $61.80.

Today's Bets

* $3 WPS    11

* $1 exacta box 1 5  9  11

$ 1 exacta box     5  9  11

*$1 exacta  part wheel

9 11  with    9 10 11  12

* $1 tri part wheel

9  11  with 9 11  with   1  5  10 12

--If post tine odds on Our Little Devil  are double digits we suggest putting some WPS money on her.



Gulfstrfeam Fast and Firm for Thursday

The dirt track  is  listed as Fast and the turf course is listed as Firm for Thursday's nine-race card at Gulfstream Park.

First post is 12:00 p.m.

As of 10:30  a.m., skies were clear at Gulfstream in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The Weather Channel forecast is for the chance of rain to range between 5 percent and 25 percent during racing hours.

The first, third, fifth, seventh  and ninth races are on the turf.

Today is the first day for turf racing at Gulfstream since Monday Sept. 7. From last Thursday through Sunday, rain led to the move of all scheduled-for-turf races to the dirt.

This link https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexGP091720USA-EQB.html  to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Thursday.

It has click-ons for the list of scratches and other changes and for handicapping material--some free and some at cost.

Thursday's carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $375,346.

The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be  on races four to nine, with the sequence scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the Rainbow 6 pool will be at least $600,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses. Such a ticket would  "take down" the jackpot and win the full carryover and 80 percent of the day's new Rainbow 6 bet (20 percent carryover).

Gulfstream has gone eight straight race days without a single-ticket winner. Thus, the carryover keeps growing.

On days with multiple winning Rainbow 6  tickets, Gulfstream takes out 20 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet and then divides 56 percent among tickets with six winners and adds 24 percent to the carryover.

Because of the  COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfstream continues to race without spectators.

Betting on Gulfstream races may be done on almost all major Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) platforms and at many sports books, other race tracks and OTB offices that are open during the pandemic.


 

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Gulfstream Heads Into Final Two Spring/Summer Weeks, with Zayas Ahead in Wins

HRFLA Staff Report

With eight race days left in Gulfstream Park's spring/summer meet, Edgard Zayas has a 131 to 120 lead over Miguel Vasquez in the competition for jockey wins.

Meanwhile, data from Equibase show that Saffie Joseph Jr. leads trainers in victories and Gilbert Campbell's Stonehedge LLC leads owners in victories.

Thursday will be the 100th day of Gulfstream's 107-day spring/summer meet, which began on April 4 and will end on Sunday Sept. 27.

The Thursday card will  be the start of four straight days of racing at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track. First post will be 12:00 p.m. each day.

The Weather Channel forecast for Thursday is for just a 15 percent chance of rain during racing hours.

That indicates that the day's five scheduled-for-turf races will stay on that surface. 

Last Thursday through Sunday, Gulfstream moved all scheduled-for turf races to the dirt due to rain and other wet conditions.

Because of the  COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfstream continues to race without spectators.

Betting on Gulfstream races may be done on almost all major Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) platforms and at many sports books, other race tracks and OTB offices that are open during the pandemic.

The only stakes races for the remainder of the meet will be on Saturday Sept. 26--with seven stakes listed on that race card.

The co-features are the final two legs in this year's Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) for 2-year-olds.

Those races are the In Reality for males and the My Dear Girl for fillies.  Both have $400,000 purses and are 1 1/16 miles on dirt.

Jockey Standings

Through Sunday, Emisael Jaramillo is third in jockey wins with 108.

The fourth through sixth places are held by: Cristian Torres at 54, Leonel Reyes  at 53 and Hector Berrios at 51.

Zayas and Jaramillo are each scheduled to ride in eight Thursday races. Vasquez is scheduled for five Thursday mounts.

In 2019, Gulfstream held separate spring and summer meets, each for three months.

Zayas finished first in wins at both meets. He had a combined total of 136, followed by Jaramillo with 109 and Vasquez with 104.

Trainer Standings

Joseph is in first place with 56 wins through Sunday.

Mike Maker is second with 43 victories. Others in the top five are: Antonio Sano, 39; Todd Pletcher 32; and Ralph Nicks 29.

Joseph led 2019's combined spring and summer  meets with 42 victories.  Sano finished second with 39.

Owner Standings

Stonehedge is in first place with 22 victories through Sunday.

Arindel and Frank Carl Calabrese are tied for second  with 18 wins.

Arindel, whose farm is in Ocala, is owned by Alan Cohen, a former managing partner of the Florida Panthers.

For Gulfstream's combined 2019 spring/summer meets, Mike Naploi was first in owner wins with 28 and Arindel was second with 27.

Napoli is a former Major League Baseball player, mostly at first base and catcher and as a DH.  He hit 267 career home runs while playing for the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.

Napoli-trained horses have raced only three times this spring/summer at Gulfstream--with no victories.  He is racing primarily at tracks in northeastern states.

Florida Sire Stakes

Breeze On By, owned by Stonehedge, won the first two races in this year's male division of the FSS.

Those stakes were the $100,000 Dr. Fager at six furlongs on dirt on Aug. 1 and the $200,000 Affirmed at seven furlongs on dirt on Aug. 29.

Breeze on By, unbeaten in three starts, is scheduled to run and seek a sweep in the In Reality. Nicks trains and Jaramillo is the regular rider of the gelded son of Cajun Breeze.

In the fillies division, Go Jo Jo Go won the $100,000 Desert Vixen at six furlongs on dirt on Aug. 1 and Princess Secret won the $200,000 Susan's Girl at seven furlongs on dirt on Aug. 29.

Both horses are expected back for the My Dear Girl.

Stonehedge owns Go Jo Jo Go, with Michael Yates as trainer and Reyes as the regular rider.

Daniel Pita is the owner and trainer of Princess Secret, with Vasquez as the regular rider.

The FSS's primary sponsor is the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, in conjunction with the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

The series is restricted to sons and daughters of Florida-registered stallions--with several requirements.

Owners of competing horses and owners of their sires must nominate them for the FSS and pay a series of fees that become part of the purses and of breeders and owners awards for FSS races.  

Gulfstream Park West

On Oct. 1, South Florida racing will move eight miles west to Calder in Miami Gardens for the annual 40-day Gulfstream Park West race meet.

This is the seventh and final year in which Gulfstream is scheduled to hold that two-month meet under a lease agreement. Gulfstream has racing at its Hallandale Beach track during the other ten months each year.

We will soon begin articles that will preview the GP West meet and look at the question of where Gulfstream might hold October-November racing in 2021 and future years.