Monday, November 30, 2020

Zayas, Crichton Win Titles at GP West Meet; Championship Meet Begins Wednesday

 

Edgard Zayas wrapped up the riding title at the Gulfstream Park West meet on Saturday, riding three winners on the closing-day program.

Meanwhile, Rohan Crichton won the GP West titles for trainer wins and for owner wins.

Saturday also was the final racing day in the 50-year history of Calder, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Gulfstream Park has held the GP West at Calder  each October-November since 2014.

But Calder and its parent Churchill Downs Inc. are not renewing the lease under which Gulfstream has held those race meets.

Calder instead will use its jai-alai fronton as its qualifying pari-mutuel sport to retain eligibility for its casino.

Zayas, who captured the Spring/Summer Meet title at Gulfstream Park, prevailed over 2019 GP West  champion Emisael Jaramillo, 44-40. Zayas  regained the Gulfstream Park West title he had won in 2018.

“It’s a special one at Gulfstream Park West, especially since it’s the last one and at the track where I started in 2012,” Zayas said. “It’s one I was looking forward to winning, to be honest.”

His ride aboard the ultra-talented I Get It ($5) in the Race 3 feature placed an exclamation mark on the 27-year-old’s most recent title success. 

The Ron Spatz-trained daughter of Get Stormy surged from well off the pace at the top of the stretch to score going away by three lengths in the 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance for 2-year-old fillies on turf.

It was the third consecutive open-lengths victory for I Get It, who defeated colts by 3 ¾ lengths at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 18 after rolling to a five-length maiden score at Gulfstream Park Aug. 28.

Crichton captured his first GP West training title, edging defending champion Saffie Joseph Jr., 19-17.

A longtime owner in Jamaica, Crichton, who has been training in the U.S. since 2013, also won the owner’s title with six winners.

Gulfstream Championship Meet
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., will open its 2020-2021 Championship Meet this Wednesday Dec. 2.

It will have ten races with first post of 12:35 p.m.
Gulfstream will hold the national annual Claiming Crown on Saturday Dec. 5. That race card will have nine stakes races--all restricted to horses that have raced at or below designated claiming prices at least once in their careers or at least once since Jan. 1, 2019.

Entries for the Claiming Crown races will be out on Wednesday afternoon.

Gulfstream's  championship meet will extend through March 28, with racing primarily on Wednesdays through Sundays.


Sunday, November 29, 2020

Calder Closes Out 49-Year Racing History

By Jim Freer

The three-year-old gelding Diligent gained a place in Florida thoroughbred racing history on Saturday when he won what undoubtedly will be the final race at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

That victory came in the tenth and last race on meet-closing day for Gulfstream Park West--the name that meet sponsor Gulfstream Park used for Calder each October-November since 2014.

Calder opened in 1971 and used the name Calder Race Course until 2014 when owner Churchill Downs Inc. changed it to Calder Casino.

There was a sense of history in Saturday's last race, in that Diligent is trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., a member of the Calder Hall of Fame who is among the top five in all time-trainer wins at Calder.

Saturday's tenth race also was the final leg of the Rainbow 6, which paid $6,234.36 on the 20 cent per combination-only bet. There were 390 winning tickets, according to Horse Racing FLA's review of Equibase charts.

Program numbers of the six wining horses were 11-3-3-6-11-4.

The Rainbow 6  had  a carryover of $347,617 for Saturday--with a guarantee that Gulfstream would pay it all out.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Calder was not open for spectators on Saturday and throughout the 39-day GP West meet. 

Thus, there was no on-track betting on GP West races, including the Rainbow 6, on Saturday.

But the attraction of the carryover generated Rainbow 6 betting of $2,608.241, through the combination of bets on Advance Deposit Wagering sites and at simulcast locations.

Saturday's Rainbow 6 handle was the second-highest for the GP West meet, according to HRFLA's data base.

The highest was $3,615,196 on Nov. 24, 2019.That was on  closing day of the meet, and there was an incoming carryover of $1,094,464 with a mandatory payout. 

On that day, there were 837 winning tickets, and each paid $4,781 on a 20 cent bet.

On Saturday GP West also had mandatory payouts (i.e. no carryovers) on the Late Pick 5 and on the Super Hi-5 in the last race.

Wagering on the Late Pick 5was $153,520. The payoff on a minimum 50 cent bet was $1,796.85. The number of winning tickets was not readily available.

The Super Hi-5 did not have a carryover going into the tenth race. Wagering was $24,901.  

Each ticket with the 4-3-6-7-1 correct order of finish won $6,804.60 on the minimum $1 bet.  There apparently were four winning tickets.

*Barring unexpected developments, Saturday was the final  day of thoroughbred racing at Calder which opened in 1971.

Calder and its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI), are planning to not renew  a lease under which Gulfstream Park has held October-November race meets at Calder for the past seven years.

Calder last year opened a jai-alai fronton. It is  using jai-alai, rather than the leased racing dates to Gulfstream, to comply with a Florida law that requires a Florida pari-mutuel to have 40 race cards or 40 jai-alai programs a year to keep a casino license.

*On Wednesday, Gulfstream Park will begin its 2020-2021 championship meet at its track in Hallandale Beach, Fla. 

First post on opening day will be 12:35  p.m. for a ten-race card.

The meet will extend through next March 28--primarily with a Wednesday through Sunday schedule,






Saturday, November 28, 2020

One Race Left at Calder

Projected (11) at 7-1 won the ninth race. on the final day at Calder .

In that race, the Super Hi-5 was hit by the combination of 11-5-10-9-1. It paid  $2,486.90 on the minimum $1 bet.

.There is no carryover on that bet in the tenth race.  But it might be worth a shot because having all five in order will not be needed for the payout.

Our pick to win is Call Bros (3) with Paco Lopez riding for trainer Joe Orseno.

Low Odds Winners Thus Far in Calder's Final Rainbow 6


Here are the winners (program numbers in parentheses) of the first four races in the Rainbow 6 on the final day of racing at Calder, which is using the name Gulfstream Park West 

5th race -- (11)Keep  Quiet  5-2

6th race -- (3)La Gata Negra  7-5

7th race -- (3) Pretendant  6-1

8th race -- (6) Rock with Robin 8-5

Coming in, the Rainbow 6 carryover was $347,137.   Bettors added $2,608,241 to the pool.

The payout will be approximately $2,43 million (80 percent of today's bet, plus the full carryover).  It will be divided among all tickets with all six winners.

Three of the first four legs were favorites. Barring a big odds winner in one of the last two races, there should be 100 or more winners.

The Final Day of Racing Has Arrived at Calder

HRFLA Staff Report

Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020--Today will be remembered by racing fans and by people in the industry as the final day of thoroughbred racing at the track that was long known as Calder Race Course.

First post is 12:35 p.m. for a ten-race card on closing day at the Gulfstream Park West meet---held at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

In addition to nostalgia, there is the attraction of mandatory payouts on the Rainbow 6 and Late Pick 5 and on the Super Hi-5 in the tenth race.

The Rainbow 6  has a carryover of $347,137. The 20 cents per combination-only bet  will be on races five through ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:31 p.m.

We anticipate that about $3 million will be bet on the Rainbow 6 today.

Gulfstream will pay out 80 percent of that bet (20 percent takeout) and the entire carryover--regardless of the number of tickets with all six winning horses.

This linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=673RlMScYyc  is to a video with the Rainbow 6 race selections by Gulfstream analysts Jason Blewitt and Ron Nicoletti.

We will have coverage this afternoon on this blog.


 

BAUER'S BETS: FAST & FIRM at TAMPA

Race 8, post time scheduled for 3:52 PM appears to be a wide-open event for Fillies and Mares three and up at NW1X Allowance level. We will be on the air on Radio St. Pete at 3:50 PM with the pre race analysis.

TWIRLING STAR (7) at 15 to 1 on the morning line, gets Jose Ferrer in the irons today after a wire to wire win versus Maiden Special company at five panels. Ferrer is a veteran turf rider who is very good with speed horses stretching out. This four year-old filly might get loose on the lead and not get caught.

THE BET $10 win and place on TWIRLING STAR (7) and a $3 exacta box with PUGALIST (6) and CURLY RUTH (10).   6,7,10.   Total Bet $38 GOOD LUCK!! 

PREVIOUS RESULTS  11/27  Once again, we cashed the win bet, but had first and third in the exacta. The $10 ticket returned $65, a profit of $25 for the day. The bank roll went up $1051, before todays wagers, leaving a balance of $1013 after those bets were placed.



Friday, November 27, 2020

Calder Fast and Firm on Second-to-Last Day

The dirt track is listed as Fast and the Turf is listed as Firm for Friday at the Gulfstream Park West meet, held at Calder on that track's second-to-last day of racing.

On Saturday, meet sponsor Gulfstream Park will have mandatory payouts on the Rainbow 6 and Late Pick 5 and on the Super Hi-5 in the last race.

The main Friday attraction is the Rainbow 6 with a carryover of $309,456. The 20 cent per combination-only bet is on races, five to ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:31 p.m.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that Friday's jackpot pool will be at least  $450,000 if there is just one ticket with all six Rainbow 6 winners.  The jackpot is made up of 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet (20 percent takeout) and the entire coming-in carryover.  

 Later today, we will explain the other aspects of the Rainbow 6, and look at other races on the Saturday card and at some memories of Calder.


BAUER'S BETS: FAST & FIRM at TAMPA

 Today's play is in Race 8, a mile on the turf for three year-olds and up, under $16,000 NW3L Claiming conditions. Post time is scheduled for 4:20 PM, we will be on the air with live coverage on Radio St Pete.com starting at about 4:18 PM.

SKOLE (3) from the barn of top notch turf trainer Arnaud Delacour, has a class advantage facing claiming foes for the first time. This outfit wins at 43% with this move. Newbie jockey Roberto Alvarado Jr., who gave a good account of himself on Wednesday, winning a race in is first day at the Downs, has the mount.

THE BET  $10 to win on SKOLE (3) and a $5 exacta box with KITTEN'S SPA (5) and JUAN PABLO (8) 3,5,8. Total Bet $40 GOOD LUCK!!


PREVIOUS RESULTS 11/25  Got the season started on a winning note. Our $20 win bet paid $58.00, had first and third in the exacta. We earned a profit of $26, the bankroll is up to $1026. There are $40 in bets today, leaving the bankroll at $986.

  

Tampa Bay: Nine Friday Races, First Post 12:47; Camacho Wins Three in Wednesday Opener

HRFLA Staff Report

Tampa Bay Downs will have nine aces on Friday, with first post at 12:47 p.m.

The only carryover is on the Pick 6, at $2,107. The 20-cents  per combination-only bet is on races four to nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:20  p.m.

Tampa Bay opened its 2020-2021 meet on Wednesday, and then was dark on Thursday (Thanksgiving). 

Samy Camacho rode three winners on Wednesday gaining a jump in what likely will be another close competition with Antonio Gallardo and Daniel Centeno.  Gallardo rode one winner on Wednesday, and Centeno was winless.

In 2018-2019, Camacho led Tampa Bay jockeys with 123 wins over 90  days.

Last season, Gallardo was first with 122 wins--followed by Camacho with 99 and Centeno with 96.

Gerald Bennett, last season's winning trainer, saddled two winners.

In the fourth race, Bennett and Camacho teamed to win with Perfetto, the 2-1 favorite.

Canacho spent the past two months riding at the Gulfstream Park West meet, held at Calder  in Miami Gardens, Fla. He had 26 wins, placing him fifth at that meet that will close on Saturday.

Saturday will be the last day of thoroughbred racing at Calder, which has had racing since 1971. Calder ad its parent Churchill Downs Inc. are not renewing the lease under which Gulfstream Park has held an October-November meet since 2014.

Tampa Bay will have ten races on Saturday, with first post of 12:22 p.m. It will be dark on Sunday, and then resume racing next Wednesday Dec. 2.


 

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Calder to Hold its Final Races on Saturday; Tampa Bay Downs Resumes Meet on Friday

By Jim Freer

Calder, site of the Gulfstream Park West meet, and Tampa Bay Downs were dark for racing this Thanksgiving Thursday.

Both tracks will be back with racing on Friday and Saturday. 

For Tampa Bay, it will be the continuation of the first week  of its 2020-2021 meet.

At Calder, in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday will be the final day of the GP West meet. The highlight will be mandatory payouts (including all incoming carryovers) on the Rainbow 6, Late Pick 5 and the Super Hi-5 in the tenth and final race.

Barring unexpected developments, Saturday also will  be the final  day of thoroughbred racing at Calder which opened in 1971.

Calder and its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI), are planning to not renew  a lease under which Gulfstream Park has held October-November race meets at Calder for the past seven years.

Calder last year opened a jai-alai fronton. It is  using jai-alai, rather than the leased racing dates to Gulfstream, to comply with a Florida law that requires a Florida pari-mutuel to have 40 race cards or 40 jai-alai programs a year to keep a casino license.

Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay opened its 2020-2021 meet on Wednesday. 

It will have  nine races on Friday with first post of 12:47 p.m.

It will have ten races on Saturday with first post of 12:22 p.m.

The Oldsmar, Fla., track will be dark from Sunday through Tuesday, and will resume racing on Wednesday Dec. 2.

Tampa Bay Downs is open to spectators, who are required to wear masks at all times on the property.

The track also has social distancing and sanitation requiriements, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


GP West (Calder)

GP West will have ten races on Friday, with first post of 12:35 p.m.

The first race has a carryover of $3,150 on the Super Hi-5. 

The Rainbow 6 has a carryover of $309,456. The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on races five through ten.

The carryover has grown because GP West has gone sixteen straight racing days without the jackpot/carryover takedown requirement of just one ticket with the winners of all six races.   

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

Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park is guaranteeing that Friday's jackpot pool will be at least $450,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winners.

On most days that have multiple winning tickets, GP West takes out 20 percent of the bet, and then divides 56 percent among winning tickets and adds 24 percent to the carryover.

The Saturday Card at GP West/Calder will have ten races with first post at 12:35 p.m.

On Saturday, GP West will pay out 80 percent of 

the day's Rainbow 6 bet and the full carryover--regardless of the number of tickets with all six winners.|

If the Rainbow 6 has multiple winning tickets on Friday, the carryover for Saturday could be in the $400,000 range.

Based on the popularity of Gulfstream meets' mandatory payouts and excitement about Calder's final day, the Saturday Rainbow 6 pool could be as big as $5 million.

And, as Gulfstream says in its promos--It all must go. 

Saturday's tenth race is a $16,000 maiden claimer at  7 1/2 furlongs on turf for 3-YOs and up.

There are sixteen entrants, including six Also Eligibles.

Where to Watch

Calder is closed to spectators. Gulfstream has a tent area, just north of its grandstand, that has simulcast wagering on GP West/Calder and other thoroughbred tracks.

Tampa Bay Downs, Hialeah Park and Pompano Park are among Florida pari-mutuels that have simulcast wagering on GP West and other tracks.

Almost all of the Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) services show GP West races live and take bets on them.

All GP West races are shown  live on the Gulfstream Park Web site.

Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., will open its 2020-2021 championship meet on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gulfstream will not be open to spectators at least during the early  part of its four-month meet.








 

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

GP West Rainbow 6 Starts with Win by 8-1 Shot

Miss Jen (5), at 8-1, beat the 6-5 favorite La Inconditional by a half-length in the fifth race at the Gulfstream Park West meet on Wednesday.

The race was the start of the Rainbow 6, run at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.,  with a coming-in carryover of $271,871.

Bettors added $156,647.  That leaves a pool of $428,519 (pre 20 percent takeout of today's bet).  Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park is guaranteeing that the pool will be at least $425,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses.

Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park is guaranteeing that the Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be at least $425,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses.  

If there are multiple tickets with all six winners GP West will take out 20 percent of today's Rainbow 6 bet and then divide 56 percent among winning tickets while adding 20 percent to the carryover.

GP West will be dark on Thursday, for Thanksgiving, and then close out its mean on Friday and Saturday.  Those also will be the last days for thoroughbred racing at Calder, which is not going to renew the lease under which Gulfstream Park has held an October-November meet at Calder for the past seven years.


BAUER'S BETS: OPENING DAY FAST & FIRM at TAMPA

 Today's play comes in Race 8, Post time is scheduled for 3:54 PM. We will be on the air live on Radio St. Pete.com with prerace commentary at 3:52 PM, followed by the live call from legendary announcer Richard Grunder. Grunder, the Dean of American race callers, gets behind the mike for his thirty-seventh opening day at the Downs.


Radio St. Pete has teamed up HorseRacingFla.com once again to bring live racing to the airwaves. This season we will cover the feature race of the day and every Stake race.

A competitive field of three and up sprinters will go six and one-half furlongs on the main track in the Race 8 opening feature. Let's try to start the meeting in the plus column.

HIGH FIVE COTTON (2) appears to be in a good spot. He is in top form now, having won his last pair of outings and has a record of four wins from seven Tampa starts. Trainer Jose Delgado claimed him back from his last race, after being claimed away on the previous winning start. Last season's top jock Antonio Gallardo rides. 

THE BET $20 to win on HIGH FIVE COTTON (2) and a $2 exacta box with WHISKEY DASH (1) and EXCHECKER (3). 1,2,3  TOTAL BET $32   GOOD LUCK!!

This season we have a mythical $1000. bank roll to start the season. It's a marathon. not a sprint.

Bankroll now $968.00

For a printable calendar of the entire Tampa Bay Downs race meet, surf over to:

 http://www.tampabaydowns.com/racing/2020-2021-racing-calendar









 









Tampa Bay Downs to Open Meet on Wednesday; RadioStPete, with HRFLA Will Air Feature

HRFLA Staff Report

Tampa Bay Downs will open its 2020-2021meet on Wednesday Nov. 25, with nine races and first post of 12:25 p.m. 

The Oldsmar, Fla., track will allow spectators on site. Because of COVID-19 precautions, they will be required to wear masks at all times and there will be a series of social distancing and sanitary requirements.

Tampa Bay will be one of the few U.S. thoroughbred tracks to allow spectators. Last season, Tampa Bay raced without spectators from March 18 through July 1.

Fans were able to bet on Tampa Bay races using Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) accounts and at simulcast locations that remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting Wednesday, it will again be a regular "day at the races" at Tampa Bay Downs. Track  officials, fans and horsemen are  hoping it will stay that way throughout the 90-day meet.

Wednesday's feature race is the eighth, with scheduled post at 3:54 p.m.

It will be the "race of the day" with track announcer, Richard Grunder's live call carried on Internet station RadioStPete Home of Radio St. Pete & Sunshine 96.7 - Radio St. Pete and Sunshine 96.7

in conjunction with HorseRacingFLA.

Bob Bauer, HRFLA handicapper and associate editor, will have pre-race and post-race commentary. 

On each Tampa Bay Downs race day, Bauer will have a preview of the race card during RadioStPete's 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. newscasts. Air times will be approximately 8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Four of Wednesday's nine races are on the turf course, which is generally regarded as one of the safest and best-maintained courses in the country.  Those races are the third, fifth, seventh and ninth.

The Weather Channel forecast is for a high temperature around 80 degrees and a zero percent chance of rain during racing hours.  That indicates that Wednesday's races will stay on the turf.

Tampa Bay Downs will be dark on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), and then resume on Friday and Saturday. 

It will start with racing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and then add Sundays on Dec. 20. For the most part, it will have that four-day schedule through May 2.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

GP West to Close Saturday with Mandatory Payouts; Wednesday Rainbow 6 Carryover cis $271,871

On Saturday, the Gulfstream Park West meet will have closing-day mandatory payouts on its Late Pick 5 and Rainbow 6 bets.

GP West also will have a mandatory payout on the Super Hi-5 on Saturday's last race, at the meet held at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Barring unforeseen developments, that will be the last-ever thoroughbred race in the 50-year history of Calder. As noted in previous stories, Calder is not renewing the lease under which Gulfstream Park has held meets each October-November for the past seven years.

The biggest Saturday attraction will undoubtedly be the Rainbow 6, especially if the current carryover extends for two more race days.

On Wednesday, GP West will have a Rainbow 6 carryover of $271,871.  The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on races five to ten, with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:31 p.m.

First post will be at 12:35 p.m.

GP West is guaranteeing that Wednesday's jackpot pool will be at least $425,000 if there is just one ticket with all six Rainbow 6 winners. 

The jackpot consists of 80 percent of the day's new Rainbow 6 bet (20 percent takeout).

On most days that have multiple winning tickets, GP West takes out 20 percent of the bet, and then divides 56 percent among winning tickets and adds 20 percent to the carryover.

On Saturday, GP West will pay out 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet and the full carryover--regardless of the number of tickets with all six winners.

GP West will be dark on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) and then have racing on Friday and Saturday.


Monday, November 23, 2020

What's Ahead: GP West/Calder, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream

HRFLA Staff Report


Here are previews of stories we are covering this week at HorseRacingFLA.

*Calder Closing, for Good: There are three racing days left in the Gulfstream Park West meet, held in Miami Gardens, Fla., at the track long known as Calder Race Course.

Those days are this Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. First post is 12:35 p.m. each day.

Calder and its parent Churchill Downs Inc, are not renewing the lease under which Gulfstream Park for the past seven years has held an October-November meet at Calder.

GP West is not open to spectators. 

Gulfstream Park's north tent area is open forf simulcast wagering on GP West and many other tracks. Tampa Bay Downs, Hialeah Park and Isle at Pompano Park are among Florida pari-mutuels  open for that wagering,

Most major Advance Deposit Wagering services carry GP West. That list includes 1/ST BET, TwinSpires.com, TVG and DRF Bets.  

*Tampa Bay Downs Opens: This Wednesday, Tampa Bay Downs will open for its five-month long 2020-2021 meet.

First post is 12:25 p.m. for Wednesday's nine-race card.

For the fifth straight season, HorseRacingFLA https://www.horseracingfla.com/ and Internet station RadioStPete https://radiostpete.com/ are teaming for coverage on each Tampa Bay Downs race day.

Radio St. Pete will carry track announcer Richard Grunder's live call of the feature race. Bob Bauer, HRFLA handicapper and associate editor will have pre-race and post-race analysis.

Each race day on RadioStPete's morning and noon news shows, Bauer will provide his selections for the feature race and have other Tampa Bay Downs news.  Those segments will air at approximately 8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Tampa Bay will allow spectators, with COVID-19 restrictions.  Most other U.S. thoroughbred tracks remain closed to spectators.

Tampa Bay will begin its meet with live racing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It will add Sundays on Dec. 20.

*Gulfstream Getting Ready: Gulfstream Park will open its five-months long championship meet on Wednesday Dec. 2.

Gulfstream will have racing on Wednesdays through Sundays.

Gulfstream will begin the meet not allowing spectators, and thus will not have on-track betting. 



Sunday, November 22, 2020

Rainbow 6 Starts with 8-5 Winner, Stakes Fields Impacted by Surface Switches

Lavi (7) at  8-5 won the fourth race at the GP West meet to start the Rainbow 6.

The carryover coming in was $241,345.  Bettors added $127,210 to the Rainbow 6 pool.

The fields in the two stakes race have been impacted by scratches due to coming off the turf.

 The seventh race is the $60,000 Juvenile Sprin. Scratched are Catching Fish (1), Toretto (7) and Chess's Dream (9)/

We will be back shortly to look at the ninth race with  scheduled post at 4:48. It is the $60,000 Millions Distaff Preview, now at seven furlongs on the sloppy dirt track.


GP West off the Turf for Sunday

 Because of heavy rain this morning, there is no  turf racing at the Gulfstream Park West meet today.

All five scheduled for turf have been moved to the  dirt track that is listed as Sloppy. 

Those races are the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth.

The Rainbow 6 is coming up, in the fourth race. with a carryover of $241,345 and a guarantee that the pool will beat least $375.000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses.

GP West Sunday: Two Stakes and Two Carryovers As Calder Enters Final Week of Racing



On Sunday, the Gulfstream Park West meet will have two stakes races along with a Rainbow 6 carryover of $241,345 and a Super Hi-5 carryover of $3,590 on the first race.

First post is 12:35 p.m. for a nine-race card at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The Rainbow 6 is on races four to nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:03 p.m.

The feature $60,000 Millions Filly & Mare Turf Preview is the ninth race. It is 7 1/2 furlongs
for Florida-bred fillies and mares, 3-YO and up.

The seventh race is the $60,000 Juvenile Turf.  It is one mile for Florida-bred 2-YOs.

On Saturday, Venezuelan Hug won the $60,000 Millions Turf Preview, at 1 1/16 miles on for Florida-breds  3-YO and up.

Also on Saturday, Inthewinnerscircle won the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf at one mile for Florida-bred 2-YO fillies.

We will have additional details and coverage this afternoon on this blog.

Sunday will be the fourth-to last day of the 2020 GP West meet.

Next Saturday, Nov. 28,  will  be the last day of the meet. Barring some startling developments it also will be the last day for horse racing at Calder.
This is the final year of the seven-year lease under which Gulfstream Park has held an annual October-November race meet at Calder.

Calder and its  parent Churchill Downs Inc. in Louisville, Ky., have said that they do not intend to renew the lease.  Gulfstream is mmaking plans to add October and November to its schedule at its track in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
This week we will have several stories about the closing week at Calder, including a review and analysis of events that led to it.




Saturday, November 21, 2020

A Look at the Millions Turf Preview

The $60,000 Millions Turf Preview is coming up at Gulfstream Park West (Calder) as the fifth ace with, scheduled post of 2:33 p.m.

It is 1 1/16 miles on turf for Florida-bred 3Os and up.  The course is listed as firm. There are ten entrants, including five that have won stakes races at GP West or at Gulfstream Park.

We are going with three of them in an exacta box: Galleon Mast (7), Monforte (8) and Mugsamatic (9)

Galleon Mast won this race each of the past two years. Monforte won the Showing Up at one mile on the GP West turf on Nov. 7, and to us looks like the best of several horses with early speed. Mugsamatic finished fifth in a nine-horse field in this year's United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park.




GP West: Fast and Firm for Saturday

The dirt track is listed as Fast and the Turf course is listed as Firm for Saturday's nine-race card at the Gulfstream Park West meet, held at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

This link https://www.equibase.com/static/latechanges/html/latechangesGPW-USA.html#sthash.SI5WgUNd.dpbs to the Equibase Web site has the scratches and other program changes--along with click-ons for handicapping material. 

 

GP West Saturday: Two Turf Stakes, Two Carryovers


HRFLA Staff Report

The Gulfstream Park West meet on Saturday will have two turf stakes, a Super Hi-5 carryover of $9,267 in the first race and a Rainbow 6 carryover that has grown to  $207,465.

First post will be 12:35 p.m. for a nine-race card at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla. 

The first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth races are scheduled for the turf.  The Weather Channel forecast is for a chance of rain between 25 and 50 percent during racing hours. On this blog. will post track conditions when they are available

Friday was the second straight race day on which no races were moved off the turf due to rain or other wet conditions.

But at least one race has been taken off turf on 26 of the 34 days thus far in the meet.

As we have noted, the GP West  meet will end on Nov. 28 and it likely will be the last thoroughbred racing at Calder.

Churchill Downs Inc., Calder's parent company, is planning to not renew the lease under which Gulfstream Park has held race meets at Calder each October and November since 2014. Gulfstream will add the two months to its schedule at its track in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The Saturday  feature race is the $60,000 Millions Turf Preview at 1 1/16 miles on for Florida-breds  3-YO and up.  It is the fifth race, with scheduled post of 2:38 p.m.

The other stakes is the  $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf at one mile on turf for Florida-bred 2-YO fillies. It is the seventh race.

We will have previews and other coverage on this blog.

On Friday, the Super Hi-5 had no tickets with the correct order of finish in any of the last three races.

Thus, there is the carryover.  The first race is five furlongs on turf, and is a maiden claimer for 2-YO  fillies.

The Rainbow 6 will be on races four to nine with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:03 p.m.

On Friday, there were eleven tickets with all six winners in the Rainbow 6. Each won $5,824 on the 20 cents per  combination-only bet.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 5-4-6-8-2-9.

The carryover coming into Friday  was $180,005. Bettors added $114,476 to the pool.

Of that new bet meet sponsor Gulfstream took out 20 percent, divided 56 percent among winning tickets and added 24 percent to the carryover.

*On Thursday, the Rainbow 6 came within a head of being taken down by a single ticket.

Going into the eighth and final races, there were 16 live tickets in the Rainbow 6. Five of the tickets had a horse singled in the 12-horse field.

One of those horses Blues Songs (8), at 16-1in the WPS pool. She took a brief lead in deep stretch but was caught in the final strides by Karenina  (2), at 6-1.

Karenina, who was on two live tickets, won by a head in the four-horse blanket finish.  

The 8-2 exacta paid $330.20 in the claiming race at one mile on turf for fillies and mares 3-YO and up.

In the Rainbow 6, there were just two tickets with all six winners. Both won $25,356.44 on the 20 cents per combination-only bet.

If Blues Songs or another singled horse had won, the payout would have been about $235,000--a combination of the entire coming-in carryover of $158.270 and 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet of $90,587.


Friday, November 20, 2020

GP West Friday: Nine Races, Two Carryovers

 The Gulfstream Park West meet has a nine-race card scheduled for Friday, with first post of 12:35 p.m.at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The first race has a Super Hi-5 carryover of $5,136.

The Rainbow 6 carryover is now twelve race days old, and has grown to $180,005. The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races four to nine, with the sequenced scheduled to start at 2:03 p.m.

We will have coverage of today's races and other Gulfstream News on this blog.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Tampa Bay Downs to Open Meet With Spectators on Site



HRFLA Staff Report

Tampa Bay Downs will allow spectators on site, with a series of COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, when it begins the regular part of its 2020-2021 racing meet on Wednesday Nov. 25.

The meet will have 90 days and run through May 2.  

Tampa Bay will be one of the few U.S. thoroughbred tracks to have spectators, and thus live betting, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

In an announcement on Wednesday Nov. 18, Tampa Bay Downs said "for the foreseeable future, fans will be required to wear masks both inside and outside the facility, unless they are eating or drinking."

The Oldsmar, Fla., track did not say if it will place any limits on attendance.

Social Distancing

But it said it has established various measures to ensure social distancing, including:

·      The creation of more outdoor, private spaces for small groups

·         A limited number of benches on the apron of the Grandstand, with increased spacing

·         Computer-generated, socially distanced Grandstand seating

·         A reduction in box seating, from eight to six seats per box.

Tampa Bay Downs has developed a website for fans to reserve seating that provides social distancing. The cost is $5 per seat and must be paid in advance. To purchase seats through the website, go to www.tbdseats.com

Racing Schedule

The 90-day meeting proper runs through May 2, followed by the annual Summer Festival of Racing on June 30 and July 1. 

Tampa Bay Downs will race most Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, adding Sundays starting Dec. 20 and also racing Thursday, Dec. 24. 

This link http://www.tampabaydowns.com/docs/default-source/2020-2021-Season-Files/tbd-2020-2021-season-race-calendareb0962ac4e526c4ebcc7ff0000bddc1f.pdf?sfvrs  to the Tampa Bay Downs Web site has the racing schedule for 2020-2021.

Tampa Bay Downs last raced with spectators on March 15. It then raced without spectators through the annual two-day Summer Festival of Racing-- generating income and purses for horsemen and horsewomen through Advance Deposit Wagering (ADWs).

Tampa Bay's racing in May and June included 20 extra days, under permission of the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.

By adding those days, it, helped several dozen trainers who had planned to send horses from Tampa Bay to tracks in northern states for training and racing. Several of those tracks were closed in May and June due to COVID-19. 

On March 15, Tampa Bay Downs closed its poker room and  its simulcasting area.  It re-opened the poker room on June 14 and re-opened for simulcasting on July 1. 

Shared Responsibility

Peter Berube, the track’s Vice President-General Manager, expressed optimism that a shared sense of responsibility and respect among track employees, horsemen, jockeys and fans will enable spectators to attend all season.

“We understand that many of our patrons would like to see a return to pre-Coronavirus status, while many others are concerned about venturing outside their homes while the pandemic continues to pose a threat,” Berube said.

He added: “We believe it is important to listen to and respect all viewpoints, but our biggest duty is doing everything possible to keep our customers and employees healthy. Without fans at the track, racing loses some of its excitement and charm, and our on-track business suffers.”

Tampa Bay Downs has also implemented rules to protect jockeys. Riders, jockey room staff, starting gate personnel, etc., will undergo rapid COVID testing prior to their arrival, with twice-weekly testing from there on. No newcomers will be allowed without a negative test, and jockeys will be restricted to their designated areas on race days and required to leave the room following their last ride of the day.

Other elements of the track’s COVID-19 protocol include increasing the number of hand-sanitizing stations throughout the facility; ongoing cleaning and sterilizing of high-touch surfaces and areas; socially distanced markers on the floors; providing disinfecting wipes next to wagering machines, replay TVs and high-touch machines; and installing Plexiglas partitions between employees and customers at the Customer Service desk, program windows, concession stands and Gift Shop.

  

 

 

  

Rainbow 6: One Race Left. 5Singles in Rainbow 6

The eighth and final race is coming up at GP West.

There are sixteen live tickets.

Five tickets have a horse singled. Those horses are program numbers 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12.

If any of those horses wins, the ticket would pay about $235,000.

Ironically the betting favorite with 10 minutes to post is the 12--Beautiful Rosie.

Apparently, many Rainbow 6 tickets that  included her were knocked out  by long shot winners in the sequence.  

 

Casse Wins 3,000th, With Souper Watson to Start Rainbow 6

Trainer Mark Casse won his 3,000th career race on Thursday, with a victory by Souper Watson in the third race at Gulfstream Park West.

Casse has trained numerous graded stakes winners in the United States and Canada.  That list includes Sir Winston in the 2019 Belmont Stakes and War of Will in the 2019 Preakness Stakes.

For several seasons he had kept a string of horses year-round at the Palm Meadows training center in Boynton Beach, Fla., using it as his main winter base. Working with his son Norman, he frequently runs horses at Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs and GP West.

Thursday's third race was the start of the 20-cent-only Rainbow 6. It was a $46,000 MSW race at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf for 3-YO and up.

The carryover coming in was $158,270.  Bettors added $90,587 to the pool.

Souper Watson (6) went off at 7-1 and won by two lengths over stablemate Souper Energizer.  Both horses are homebreds of Live Oak Plantation.

Miguel Vasquez rode Souper Watson. Paco Lopez rode Souper Energizer for trainer Michael Trombetta.




GP West Thursday: Eight Races, $158,270 Carryover

The Gulfstream Park West meet  has an eight-race card scheduled for Thursday, with first post of 12:35 p.m.

It is the seventh-to-las day of the meet, held at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.--in what almost certainly will be the final thoroughbred meet at that track.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $158,270. The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races  three to eight, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:33 p.m.  

The first, third, sixth and eighth races are scheduled for turf.

The Weather Channel forecast is for just a 10 percent chance of rain during racing hours.  That indicates that the four scheduled-for-turf races will stay on that surface.

We will have coverage of today's racing and other GP West news on this blog.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

GP West Back on the Turf for Wednesday

Racing is back on the turf course at  the Gulfstream Park West meet on Wednesday.

On each of the last six race days, at least one race was taken off the turf because of rain or wet conditions at the meet which is held at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

First post is 12:35u p.m. for the eight-race card.  

The first third and eighth races are scheduled for turf. It is likely those races will stay on that surface,

The Weather Channel forecast is for the chance of rain to range as high as just 20 percent during racing hours.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $137,552.  The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on aces three to eight, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:33 p.m.


o

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

GP West Resumes Wednesday With Eight Races, As the End of Racing at Calder Approaches

 After being dark on Monday and Tuesday, the Gulfstream Park West meet will resume Wednesday with eight races and first post of 12:35 p.m. at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.


Wednesday will be the 32nd day of the 39-day GP West meet, which will end on Saturday Nov. 28.

It is almost certain that Nov. 28 will be the last race day of thoroughbred racing at the property, which for several years has used the name Calder Casino, rather than the long-standing Calder Race Course. 

This is the final year of a seven-year lease under which Gulfstream Park is operating a two-month meet at Calder--using the name Gulfstream Park West.

Louisville, Ky. based Churchill Downs Inc., Calder's parent company,  and Aurora, Ont.-based Stronach Group, Gulfstream's parent, reportedly are not interested in renewing the lease.

Throughout the seven years, Gulfstream has had racing from December through October at its track in Hallandale Beach, Fla. When Gulfstream adds October and November next year, there are expectations that it might not race for two weeks or make another schedule reduction to refurbish the turf course and do  maintenance work.

First there is the matter of winding down at Calder, which first held racing in 1971.

On Wednesday, the Rainbow 6 carryover will be $137,552.The 20 cents per combination bet will be on races three to eight. The sequence is scheduled to start at 1:33 p.m.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that Wednesday's Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be at least $200,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winners.  If there are multiple tickets with six winners, Gulfstream will take out 20 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet. It will divide 56 percent among tickets with six winners and add 24 percent to the carryover.

The carryover has grown because GP West has gone nine straight race days with multiple winning tickets.

GP West will race five straight days between Wednesday Nov. 18 and Sunday Nov. 22.

The meet's final three days, and the final days for Calder will be Wednesday Nov. 25, Friday Nov. 27 and Saturday  Nov. 28.

First post will be 12:35 p.m. each day, unless otherwise noted.

Calder is closed to the public because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Gulfstream Park's tent area, north of its grandstand, is open for simulcast betting on the GP West races and on races  at other major tracks.  Tampa Bay  Downs, Hialeah Park and Pompano Park also have simulcast betting on GP West and other tracks.



 


l

Sunday, November 15, 2020

GP West Off the Turf on Sunday

 Because of  lingering wet conditions, there will be no turf racing, again, at the Gulfstream Park West meet on Sunday.

The third and seventh races have been moved to the dirt track, which is  listed as Fast at Calder in Miami Gardens.

This is the sixth straight race day on which meet sponsor Gulfstream Park has taken at least one race off the turf.

First post is 12:35 p.m. for an eight-race card.


 

GP West: Rainbow 6 Pays $5,524;; Quenane, at 27-1., Wins Millions Classic Preview


HRFLA Staff Report

Moonlite Strike (15), the 6-5 favorite, won Saturday's ninth and final race at the Gulfstream Park West meet.

That result left eleven tickets with all six winning horses in the Rainbow 6. Each ticket won $5,524.70 on the 20 cents-only bet.

Program numbers for the six winning horses were 3-3-1-7-2-15.

The first five races in the sequence were stakes races restricted to Florida-breds.

It began with the fourth race, the $60,000 Millions Classic Preview.

Quenane, at 25-1, won that race by a length over the 6-5 favorite Noble Drama. 

The GP West meet is held a Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.

All of the day's nine races were on the dirt track, which was listed as Sloppy and was sealed.

On Sunday, the GP West meet will have eight races with first post of 12:35 p.m.

The third an eighth races are scheduled for turf. The Weather Channel forecast is for just a 20 percent chance of rain during racing hours.  We will report on track conditions when they are available.

Rainbow 6

The Rainbow 6 carryover will be $116,971. The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on aces three to eight with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:33 p.m.

Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park is guaranteeing that the pool will be at least $200,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winners.

Saturday's  Rainbow 6 began on the fourth race, the $60,000 Millions Classic Preview, which also was the first of five consecutive stakes races.

Quenane, at 25-1, won that race by a length over the 6-5 favorite Noble Drama. 

Going into the ninth race, there were forty live tickets in the Rainbow 6. Only one ticket had a horse singled.

That was the 10 horse, Gandolfo.  If that horse had won, the ticket would have paid about $180,000. That would have combined the carryover coming in of $92,906 and 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet of $108,601 (20, percent takeout).

Because there were multiple winning tickets, the payout was: 20 percent takeout, 56 percent divided among winning tickets, 24 percent added to carryover.

Stakes Results

The Classic Preview was one of five stakes, all for Florida-breds only. Other stakes winners were:

*Juvenile  Fillies Sprint-- Shea D Summer

*Millions Sprint- Legal Deal

*Juvenile Sprint -- Poppy's Pride

*Distaff -- Tiz Possible Dear

Later on Sunday, we will have a story with details on those races.

Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park had scheduled nine stakes races for Saturday.

Four were scheduled for turf. Gulfstream has moved two of  them to Saturday Nov. 21 and two to Sunday Nov. 22. Details are in a story we published on Friday morning.

Gulfstream  made that switch to increase the chances that those races can be run on the turf.

Saturday was the fifth straight race day and the 24th in the GP West schedule, now 30 days old, on which at least one scheduled-for-turf race has been moved to dirt because of rain or lingering wet conditions.

Saturday, November 14, 2020

One Singled Ticket in Rainbow 6

With the ninth and final race coming up at GP West, there are 40 live tickets in the Rainbow 6--and just one with a horse singled. 

That horse is the 10, Gandolfo. With nine minutes to post, he is 9-1 on the board.

It is a MSW for 2-YOs moved from turf and run at one mile on the Sloppy dirt track.

There are ten runners.


The winners of the first five races, all  in stakes restricted to Florida-breds, were:

4th -- Quenane  (3) 25-1

5th -- Shea D Summer (3) 1-1

6th -- Legal Deal (1) 5-2

7th -- Poppy's Pride (7) 4-1

8th -- Tiz Possible Dear (2)

Quenane, at 25-1, beat the 4-5 favorite Noble Drama (2) by a  length in Saturday's $60,000 Millions Classic Preview in the Gulfstream Park West meet, held  at Calder.

The race was the first of five straihgttakes races, all on turf and restricted to Florida-breds.

It was the first leg in the 20-cets only Rainbow 6.

The carryover coming in was $92,906. Bettors  added $108,601 to  the pool.  Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park had guaranteed that the jackpot pool would be at least $175,000 if there is just one ticket with all six Rainbow 6 winners.

The pool and takedown would be about $178,000--80 percent of today's bet plus the full carryover. 


Stakes Races, Rainbow 6 Next at GP West

Racing is Off the Turf and the dirt track is listed as Sloppy and is sealed for today's Gulfstream Park West races at Calder.

The race is coming up with scheduled post at 2:03 p.m..  It is the $60,000 Millions Classic Preview.  It is the start of the Rainbow 6, with a $92,906 carryover, and the first of five straight stakes for Florida-breds.

GP West: Noble Drama, Red Crescent Head Field for Feature on Five-Stakes Saturday

HRFLA Staff Report

Five stakes races on the dirt track will be the highlights of Saturday’s nine-race card at the Gulfstream Park West.

First post is 12:35 p.m. at the Calder track in Miami Gardens, Fla.

All of Saturday's stakes  have $60,000 purses and are restricted to Florida-breds.

The featured Millions Classic Preview, for 3-YO and up, is at one mile and is headed by Red Crescent and Noble Drama, the one-two finisher in the race last year, when it was run at 11/16 miles.

It is the fourth race with scheduled post of 2:03 p.m. 

That race also is the start of the Rainbow 6, with a $92,906 carryover. 

There is a guarantee that the Rainbow 6 pool will be at least $175,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winners on the 20 cents per combination-omnnly bet.


Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park had scheduled nine stakes races for this Saturday.

Four were scheduled for turf. Gulfstream has moved two of  them to Saturday Nov. 21 and two to Sunday Nov.22. Details are in a story we published on Friday morning.

Gulfstream  made that switch to increase the chances that those races can be run on the turf.

Friday was the fourth straight race day and 23rd day in the GP West schedule, now 29 days old, on which at least one scheduled-for-turf race has been moved to dirt because of rain or lingering wet conditions.

The third and ninth-races on this Saturday's card are scheduled for turf.

The Weather Channel is for just a 20 percent chance of rain during racing hours.

On Friday, the track was listed as Wet Fast. In the nine races, all on dirt, only one winner was farther back than third after a half mile.

Saturday's Stakes 

Fourth  Race: Millions Classic Preview, one mile, 3-YO and up, scheduled post 2:03 p.m.

Noble Drama, a multiple-early $600,000 in career earnings has been installed as the even-money favorite. 

The David Fawkes trainee will seek his third-straight stakes victory. 

Noble Drama, a 6-year-old gelding, won the one-mile Wildcat Heir at Gulfstream on Sept. 26 and  the sevedn dcfurlong Benny The Bull at Gulfstream in his two most recent starts. 

Garter and Tie, a multiple-stakes winner who 
finished second in the Wildcat Heir, is back for Saturday's race.

Red Crescent beat Noble Drama in last year's Millions Classic Preview. Since then he has raced six times, all in stakes and handicaps. In that stretch she has no wins butg has a second place and twso  third place finishes.
The Millions Preview serc==es as a prep for the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Classsic. swhich will be 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Gulfstream on Jan.16.

*Fifth race: Juvenile Fillies Sprint, 6 1/2 furgs, 2-YO, scheduled post 2:33 p.m. 

Carlos David-trained Shea D Summer was installed as the 9-5 favorite off an impressive debut victory at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 7.
Royal Habibi and Briella are among challengers in the six-horse field.

Sixth race: Millions Sprint Preview, 6 furlongs, 3-YO and up; scheduled post 3:05 p.m.

Shivaree, the 2020 Florida Derby (G1) runner-up, is ready to make his first start since finishing off the board in the Aug. 7 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
 
The Ralph Nicks trainee is 1-for-1 at Gulfstream Park West, where he broke his maiden by nearly 10 lengths nearly a year ago. 


With Verve and As Seen on Tv loom as top threats to Shivaree

Larry Bates-trained With Verve defeated Shivaree by a neck while winning the Hutcheson at Gulfstream in February. 

Kelly Breen-trained As Seen On Tv, who finished third in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream in February, returns to Gulfstream Park West, where he won the Juvenile Sprint last year.

Seventh race: Juv enile Sprint, 6 1/2, furlongs, @-YO

Real Talk, a sharp debut winner at Gulfstream, has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite.

Nicks-trained Real Talk romped by six lengths in his Sept. 6 debut despite running into traffic in the stretch. Michael Yates-trained Poppy’s Pride will seek his third-straight win after capturing the off-the-turn Armed Forces Stakes last time out.

*Eighth Race: Distaff, 7 furlongs, F&M 3-YO and up

Peter Walder-trained Cory Gal, a six-length optional claiming allowance winner last time out, has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite.

Cory Gal was claimed by Walder and Paradise Farms Corp. for $25,000 out of a victory in her previous start. 

Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Sound Machine, an open-stakes winner, is scheduled to make her first start at Gulfstream Park West after finishing third in the Miss Preakness (G3) at Pimlico in her most recent start.

Terri Pompay-trained Heiressall, who finished second in last year’s Millions Distaff Preview, enters this year’s running off a victory in the seven-furlong Sheer Drama on Sept. 6 at Gulfstream.


 

Friday, November 13, 2020

GP West Has Five Dirt Stakes on Saturday Card; Four Turf Stakes Moved to Nov. 21-22 Weekend


Because of the past week's wet weather, most notably Tropical Storm Eta, the Gulfstream Park West meet has postponed the four turf stakes races  that it had scheduled for this Saturday Nov. 14.

Two of those races have been rescheduled for Saturday Nov. 21, and two have been rescheduled for Sunday Nov. 22.  They will be run at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Those four races were originally scheduled to be among nine stakes on the Nov. 14 Millions Preview card.

Five dirt stakes will be run as scheduled this Saturday.  All nine stakes have $60,000 purses and are restricted to Florida-breds.
Meet  sponsor  Gulfstream Park is calling the program the Millions Preview because four of the races (with Preview in their name) are similar  in gender, age, surface and distance to stakes with bigger purses that will be run Jan. 16 on the Sunshine Millions card at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. 
The turf stakes rescheduled for Nov. 21 are:
*Millions Turf Preview for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles
*Juvenile Fillies Turf at one mile for 2-YOs
The stakes rescheduled for Nov. 2 are:
*Filly & Mare Turf Preview, 7 1/2 furlogs, F&M 3-YO and up
*Juvenile Turf, one mile, 2-YOs 

The five stakes races on Saturday are:|
*Fourth race --Millions Classic Preview, one mile,3-YO and up
*Fifth race -- Juvenile Fillies Sprint, 2-YO, 6 1 /2
 furlongs

*Sixth race - Millions Sprint, 6 furlongs, 3-YO and up
*Seventh race -- Juvenile Sprint, 6 1/2 furlongs 2-YO
*Eighth race -- Millions Distaff, seven furlongs, F&M, 3-YO and up
First post on Saturday is 12:35 p.m.

This link https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexGPW111420USA-EQB.html to the Equibase Web site has the GP West entries for this Saturday. It has click-ons for handicapping information. Some, including past performances, is at cost and some is for free.



 



Thursday, November 12, 2020

GP West off the Turf for Thursday

 Due to lingering wet conditions following  Tropical Storm Eta, there will be no turf racing at Gulfstream Park West on Thursday.

The second, fourth, sixth and eighth races have been moved to the dirt track, which is listed as Fast.

First post is 12:35 p.m. for the nine-race card.

This linkhttps://www.equibase.com/static/entry/RaceCardIndexGPW111220USA-EQB.html to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Thursday, with scratches and other changes.

It has click-ons for handicapping material.  Some is at cost, including past performances, and some is free.

GP West: 9 Thursday Races, Conditions Pending

The Gulfstream Park West meet has a nine-race card for Thursday, with first post of 12:35 p.m.

The day's main betting attraction is the Rainbow 6, which has a carryover of $60,756. The 20 cents per combination-only  bet is on races four to nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:03 p.m.

Meet sponsor Gulfstream Park has a guarantee that the pool will be at least $100,000 if there is just one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.

Such a ticket would take down the jackpot/carryover of 80 percent of the day's bet (20 percent takeout) plus the entire coming-in carryover.

If there are multiple tickets with the six winners, the payout is: 20 percent takeout; 56 percent among winning tickets; 24 percent to carryover.

On this blog, we will have a report on track conditions when they are available.

Four races are scheduled for turf--the second, fourth, sixth and eighth.

Skies were clear at 9:45 a.m. at Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.--the site of the GP West meet.

But the Weather Channel forecast is for a 50 percent or  higher chance of thunderstorms during racing hours.

On Wednesday, all four of the scheduled-for-turf races were moved to the dirt track that was listed as Good. The track and course were still drying out from Tropical Storm Eta's heavy rains on Sunday and Monday.