Monday, May 31, 2021

Gulfstream: Turf Stakes is Monday Feature

 The $70,000 Golden Glades Stakes, at one mile on turf for 3-year-olds and up, will be the feature on Monday's ten-race card at Gulfstream Park 

First post is at 12:50 p.m. The Golden Glades has a scheduled post of 4:57 p.m.

The  carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $30,520. The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races  five through ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:52 p.m.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the jackpot payoff will be at least $150,000 if there is just one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.

If there are multiple winning tickets, Gulfstream will take out 20 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet and divide 56 percent among tickets with six winners and add 24 percent to the carryover.

This link to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Monday.  II has click-ons fot handicapping materials. Some is free.  Some, including past performances, is as at cost.   

The link will update for scratches and other changes.

We will have coverage later today on this blog.


Sunday, May 30, 2021

GP Late Pick 5 Has $128,765 Carryover

Gulfstream Park's ten-race Sunday card has a carryover of $128,765 on the Late Pick 5,

It is a 50 cent minimum bet and will be on races five to ten. The sequence is on races six to ten and is scheduled to start at 3:26 p.m.

The Rainbow 6 will have a new pool.  Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the payout will be at least $100.000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses. 

The 20-cents per combination-only bet begins on Race 5.

We will have coverage on this blog.




Saturday, May 29, 2021

GP: Musical Romance Stakes Heads Saturday Card

Gulfstream Park will have a 12-race card on Saturday with first post of 12:20 p.m.

The featured 11th race is the $75,000 Musical Romance Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt for Florida-bred fillies and mares 3-YO and up.  Scheduled post time is 5:35 p.m.

Sound Machine and Loriloupies, both trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., are among likely favorites.  The field is down to eight  horses, following the morning scratches of A Bit of Both and Royal Meghan.

Conditions are listed as Fast and Firm,

The Rainbow 6 has a carryover of $219,576,

The 20 cents per  combination-only bet will be on races seven to twelve with the sequence scheduled  to start at 3:23 p.m.

We will have coverage during the afternoon on this  blog.







 

Gulfstream Ends Most Restrictions on Fans; Will Add Synthetic Racing Surface

HRFLA  Staff Report

Gulfstream Park announced on Friday that it has reduced and in some cases ended many of its COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, effective immediately.

Meanwhile, Gulfstream is preparing to replace the outer part of its turf course with a synthetic Tapeta racing surface. 

Gulfstream will continue to have a turf course and a dirt track, which will remain its main track.

As it makes that change, Gulfstream beginning June 7 will have a Friday through Sunday schedule of live racing for approximately three months. It will then resume a Thursday through Sunday schedule.

In regard to spectators. Gulfstream in Hallandale  Beach, Fla., is basically open again for regular business. 

Post COVID Changes

The changes starting this weekend include: restoring open access to outdoor areas; guests not being required to wear masks or other face coverings outdoors; and the return of free admission to the apron, walking ring and breezeway.

Gulfstream instituted strict COVID protocols in March of 2020 for the health and safety of its employees, guests, and horsemen.

Gulfstream began loosening some restrictions late last year. In recent months, it had been limiting attendance to about 2,000 per day.  

Other changes in protocols that began this weekend include: the removal of most barriers and temporary plexiglass; no temperature checks at entrances; and families with small children once again being welcomed to watch racing.

Guests will still be required indoors to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.

Seats inside the Silks simulcast area will remain free to Gold-and-up XBRewards members. Any remaining seats will be sold on a first-come basis. Those who have purchased seats to areas now open will have their seats reserved and payment refunded.

More information can be found on the Gulfstream Park Web site or by calling the Gulfstream box office at (954) 457-6201.

Here  is Gulfstream's schedule for Memorial Day weekend.

Saturday May  29 -- 12 races, first post 12:20 p.m.

Sunday May 30 -- 10 races, first post 12:50 p.m.

Monday May 31 -- 10 races, first post 12:50 p.m.

New Surface

The dirt track and turf cose at Gulfstream Park were put in prior to the 2005 race meet.

The dirt track is 1 1/8 miles in circumference. 

The turf course is seven furlongs in circumference and is 170 feet wide.  With use of portable rails, the width of  the turf enables Gulfstream to have what amounts to two turf courses.

In recent years, Gulfstream has scheduled about half of its races on turf.

But rain, especially during summer months, often forces switches to dirt--with numerous scratches.

Since 2013 Gulfstream has had racing, including turf, for ten months each year. In October and November, Gulfstream has sponsored the Gulfstream Park West meets at  Calder in Miami Gardens.  But the lease agreement with Calder ended last year/

Gulfstream will have twelve months of racing this year.  That leads to expectations of more wear and tear on the  turf course.

The addition of a synthetic course provides Gulfstream with more options.

Races taken off turf due to wet conditions will be moved to Tapeta,  a surface that is regarded as all-weather due to composition features.












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Friday, May 28, 2021

Carried-Over Super Hi-5 Pays $1,568.40 at Gulfstream

The carried-over Super Hi-5  was hit on multiple tickets in Friday's first race at Gulfstream Park, and it paid $1,568.40 on a minimum $1 bet.

The number of winning tickets could not be readily determined.

The winning combination was 3-5-4-7-2 in the field of seven horses.

There was a coming-in carryover of $41,457.  Bettors added $109,280  to the Super Hi-5 pool.

Happy Thought (3) won the race at 4-1 odds and was followed by Twirling Grace (5) at 6-1.

The key to the relatively high payoff was the even-money favorite Cash Refund (2) coming in fifth.

The first race, at 1 1/16 miles on turf, was a $35,000 maiden claiming race with a $35,000 purse for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.
 
Happy Thought won in 1:42.53 on the course listed as Firm. Romero Maragh rode for trainer Tom Proctor.

The Super Hi-5 is a $1 minimum bet, and requires picking the first five finishers in exact order. There are no consolation payoffs, such as four out of five.

The Super Hi-5 has a 17 percent takeout. If there are no winning  tickets, 83 percent of the bet is carried over to next race with the Super  Hi-5.

Gulfstream has the  Super Hi-5 on all races with seven or more starters.




 




 

Gulfstream First Race Has $41,457 Super Hi-5 Carryover

Barring any last-minute scratches, Gulfstream Park will have seven starters in its first race today--thus having the minimum field size for the Super Hi-5.

There is  a carryover of $41,457 for that bet.

First post is 2:00 p.m. for a nine-race card. Conditions are listed as Fast and Firm.

The first race is at 1 1/16 miles on turf.  It is a $35,000 maiden claiming race with a $35,000 purse for fillies 3-years-old and up.

 


 

Tampa Bay Downs Hires Jason Beem as Track Announcer

Tampa Bay Downs has hired Jason Beem, who has called races at numerous thoroughbred tracks since 2006, as track announcer.

Beem will begin his duties at the Oldsmar, Fla., track on June 30 and July 1, for its annual two-day Summer Festival of Racing. He will resume in late November when it begins the main part of its 2021-2022 race meet. 

He will succeed Richard Grunder, who retired on May 2 after 37 years and more than 37,000 races at Tampa Bay Downs.

Beem, who is 41, currently announces at Grants Pass Downs in Oregon and will begin his third season at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., on July 19. 

Beem was chosen from among dozens of applicants after a nationwide search. He is excited to bring his enthusiastic style to Tampa Bay Downs

“From calling races at Colonial Downs and Monmouth Park (in 2019), I got to know a lot of the horses and horsemen who compete at Tampa," he said. "It really appeals to me as a fan. It’s good, quality racing, the turf races are outstanding and it’s a very horseplayer-friendly track.”

Margo Flynn, the Vice President of Marketing and Publicity at Tampa Bay Downs, believes Beem will be embraced by listeners accustomed to Grunder’s energetic, fan-friendly style, while attracting new followers through his social-media platforms.

Beem is host of an hour-long podcast each Monday through Friday – the Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast sponsored by Twinspires – on which he interviews many of the sport’s leading figures.

 In addition to his podcast, Beem is active on Twitter and Instagram and he has a YouTube channel.

“Jason hit all the checkpoints we were looking for,” Flynn said. “He sees racing through a fan’s eyes and understands the need to cultivate new fans and develop ways to target them. He has a big pair of shoes to fill, but he has the experience and love of the sport to make his own mark at Tampa Bay Downs."

Beem, who started his announcing career in 2006 at River Downs in Cincinnati (now Belterra Park), describes his race-calling style as high-energy and information-driven.

He said: “I have a quick delivery, I try to get as much information as I can to the horseplayer and I’m very descriptive. Accuracy, obviously, is the most paramount thing for me."

Beem knows it is a next-to-impossible task following Grunder, who is a jockey’s agent at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. In an almost-eerie coincidence, both called races at since-closed Portland Meadows in Oregon at similar stages of their careers, with Beem working there from 2006-2014.

“I don’t look at it as trying to replace him, because he is a legend,” Beem said. “I just want to be a great member of the Tampa Bay Downs team, get to know the horse-playing community and get a lot of people excited about horse racing.”

 

 

Thursday, May 27, 2021

GP Friday: Super Hi-5 Carryover is $41,457; Monday Card Set for Memorial Day

HRFLA Staff  Report

Gulfstream Park will have a carryover of $41,457 on its Super Hi-5 when it resumes racing on Friday.

The Hallandale Beach, Fla., track will have nine Friday races with first post of 2:00 p.m.

Gulfstream wagering history indicates that as much as $200,000 could be bet on a Super Hi-5 with an overnight carryover as large as on Friday.

The Super Hi-5 is scheduled for Friday's first race, at 1 1/16 miles on turf.  It is a $35,000 maiden claiming race with a $35,000 purse for fillies 3-years-old and up.

Gulfstream usually has racing on Thursdays through Sundays during its Spring/Summer meet.

This week, it is dark on Thursday and is adding a race day on Monday May 31 which is Memorial Day. 

Gulfstream has the Super Hi-5 on all races with seven or more starters.

On Friday, we suggest that bettors should handicap ahead for several races and not just the first race on the Super-Hi 5.

The first race on Friday has seven entrants. If one or more horses are scratched, the Super Hi-5 will not be offered until the next race with seven or more starters.

Friday's second race has just six entrants, and the third race has eight entrants.

The Super Hi-5 is a $1 minimum bet, and requires picking the first five finishers in exact order. There are no consolation payoffs, such as four out of five.

The Super Hi-5 has a 17 percent takeout. If there are no winning  tickets, 83 percent of the bet is carried over to next race with the Super  Hi-5.

On Sunday, Gulfstream's most recent race day, there were no winning Super Hi-5 tickets on the last two races. That led to the carryover for Friday.

This link to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Friday.

The link will update when scratches and other cxhanges ae announced. It has click-ons for handicappig material.  Some is free. Some. including past performances, is at cost.

The Friday carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $190,483.

The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races four to nine with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:32 p.m.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the payout will be at least $400,000 if there is just one ticket with the winners of all six races.

If there are multiple winning tickets, Gulfstream will take out 20 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet. Of the remainder, Gulfstream will divide 56 percent among the tickets with six winners and add 24 percent to the carryover.

*Because of  COVID-19 restrictions, Gulfstream is limiting spectators to about 2,000 per day.

Stretch’s North Pavilion and South Beach are open to the public. No ticket is required for these viewing areas.

Tickets are available for the Ten Palms restaurant and, on a limited basis, for luxury suites.

A ticket is needed to enter the trackside apron area.

Information about tickets may be obtained by  contacting the Gulfstream Box Office at (954) 457-6201.

           

                       

 


 


 

Sunday, May 23, 2021

GP: Chance It, Double Crown Return in Allowance; Two Carryovers on Sunday Card

HRFLA Staff Report

Multiple stakes winners Chance It and Double Crown will make their first starts of the year on Sunday at Gulfstream Park.

They will be part of a five-horse field in the ninth race, at six furlongs on dirt for 3-year-olds and up.  Man of Honor had been entered but was scratched on Sunday morning.

Scheduled post time is 5:02 p.m. for the allowance/optional claimer that has a $48,000 purse. None of the entrants are eligible to be claimed.

Sunday's card has eleven races with first post of 12:50 p.m.

The first race has a Super Hi-5 carryover of $8,509.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $133,006.  The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races six to eleven with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:26 p.m.

Chance It, a 4-year-old colt, won the six-furlong Dr. Fager and the 1 1/16 mile In Reality (photo on home page) at Gulfstream in 2019. Those races are part of the Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds.

He began 2020 with a win in the one-mile Mucho Macho Man on Jan. 4 at Gulfstream. 

Chance It's last race was a fifth place finish in the 1 1/16 mile Tampa Bay Derby  (Grade 2) at Tampa Bay Downs on March 7, 2020. 

Chance It is a son of Currency Swap. A review of Equibase charts shows that no other sons or daughters of Currency Swap have won a stakes race during the last five years.

"He's (Chance It) not a horse that will be  sent to the  breeding shed any time soon," said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. "There's no sense rushing him back."

Edgard Zayas will ride Chance It for owner Shooting Star Thoroughbreds. 

Double Crown, a 4-year-old gelding, won the 6 1/2-furlong Roar and the seven-furlong Carry Back at Gulfstream last year.

His most recent race was a second place finish in the six-furlong Chick Lang (Grade 3) at Pimlico on Oct. 1.

Prior to that, Double Crown finished third in  the six-furlong Smile (Grade 3) at Gulfstream on Sept. 5.

Cool Arrow won the Smile, finishing  3 3/4 lengths ahead of Double Crown. But he has not finished higher than third in five subsequent starts.

Luca Panici will ride Double Crown for trainer Kathy Ritvo and owner Reeves Thoroughbred Racing.

Leonel Reyes will ride Cool Arrow for trainer Teresa Pompay  and owner My Purple Haze Stables.

Went West and Inter Miami are seeking their first stakes win, and past performances indicate they will battle for the early lead.

Went West has been third or better in all seven of his career starts.  In his only Gulfstream race he finished second by a neck to Shivaree in the six-furlong Buffalo Man on Nov. 30, 2019.






Wednesday, May 19, 2021

GP Resumes Thursday with Eight Races; Rainbow 6 Carryover is $31,266

  

HRFLA  Staff Report

Gulfstream Park will begin four straight days of racing on Thursday, with eight races and first post of 12:50 p.m. 

The lone carryover is on the Rainbow 6--at $31,266. The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races three to eight, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:54 p.m.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the Rainbow 6 pool, and thus the  jackpot payout, will be at least  $150,000 if there is just one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.

The fourth and seventh races are the co-features.

 The fourth race, an optional allowance claimer at six furlongs has drawn the graded stakes-placed Admiral Lynch (5-2) making his first start since February.


Gulfstream’s seventh race, a seven furlong allowance race for 3-year-old state-bred fillies, drew a competitive field of seven.


It includes  Restofthestory, who makes her second start after finishing second by a neck in the $400,000 My Dear Girl division of the Florida Sire Stakes last fall.


 The daughter of Jess’s Dream finished fourth in her 2021 debut March 24 behind Mon Petit Chou, who came back to win May 14.  Edgard Zayas has the mount for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.


*Thursday will be the 29th day of Gulfstream's 2021 spring/summer meet, which is scheduled to run 105 days through Sept. 26.


On most weeks Gulfstream's live racing schedule is Thursday through Sunday, 


An exception will be on Memorial Day weekend. Gulfstream will have live racing on Monday May 31, and will be dark on Thursday May 27.


*Going into Thursday, defending champion Edgard Zayas leads the jockey standings and defending champion Saffie Joseph Jr, leads the trainer standings.


Zayas has ridden  41 winners. Edwin Gonzalez is second with 37 wins and Paco Lopez is third with 36.


Joseph has 25 wins, well ahead of Mark Casse who is second with ten wins.  Antonio Sano, Joe Orseno, Jorge Delgado and Carlos David all have seven victories and are tied for third place.


*Because of  COVID-19 restrictions, Gulfstream is limiting spectators to about 2,000 per day.

Stretch’s North Pavilion and South Beach are open to the public. No ticket is required for these viewing areas.

Tickets are available for the Ten Palms restaurant and, on a limited basis, for luxury suites.

A ticket is needed to enter the trackside apron area.

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

Information about tickets may be obtained by  contacting the Gulfstream Box Office at (954) 457-6201.

           

                       

Friday, May 14, 2021

GP Schedule: Two Live Saturday Stakesl Simulcasts of Preakness Day Card

Gulfstream Park's Friday racing card has a carryover of $70,738 on its Rainbow 6.

The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races five to ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:57 p.m.

On Saturday, Gulfstream will have twelve races and first post of 12:20 p.m.

The card has two stakes races--both with $75,000 purses.

The Roar is 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt for 3-YOs.  It is the fourth race with scheduled post at 1:55 p.m.

The Powder Break is one mile on turf for fillies and mares 3-YO and up. It is the 11th race with  scheduled post of 6:04 p.m.

*Also on Saturday, Gulfstream will have simulcast wagering on the Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) and all of the day's other races at Pimlico in Baltimore.

Pimlico will have a stakes-laden card  with fourteen races.  The Preakness is the 13-th race with scheduled post of 6:47 p.m.

*Because of  COVID-19 restrictions, Gulfstream is limiting spectators to about 2,000 per day.

Information about tickets may be obtained by  contacting the Gulfstream Box Office at (954) 457-6201.

*On Sunday, Gulfstream will have ten races with first post of 12:20 p.m.



 



Thursday, May 13, 2021

GP: Thursday Carryover is $41,402

Gulfstream Park has an eight-race card for Thursday, with first post of 12:50 p.m.

The only carryover is on the Rainbow 6--at $41,402.  The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races three to eight, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:54 p.m.

Conditions are listed as Fast and Good.

The Weather Channel forecast is for the chance of rain to grow from 15 percent to 50 percent during racing hours.

*Gulfstream has racing on Thursdays through Sundays during its spring/summer  meet that  runs through Sept. 26.

Because of  COVID-19 restrictions,, Gulfstream is limiting spectators to about 2,000 per day.

Information about tickets may be obtained by  contacting the Gulfstream Box Office at (954) 457-6201.

*On Saturday May 15, Gulfstream will have the $75,000 Powder Break Stakes at one mile on turf for fillies and mares 3-YO and up.

Also on Saturday, Gulfstream will have simulcast wagering on the Preakness Stakes and all of the day's other races at Pimlico.




 


 

Preakness Update: Focus is on Medina Spirit

HRFLA Staff Report

The entries for Saturday's $1 million Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) are listed below.

The prospective field includes Medina Spirit, who as of early Thursday remained embroiled in a controversy over a failed drug test following his victory on May 1 in the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Pimlico Race Course on Tuesday  allowed Medina Spirit to be entered in the Preakness after the colt's trainer Bob Baffert agreed to let the Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Pimlico, to conduct blood testing and other monitoring in addition to that of the Maryland Racing Commission.

Medina Spirit drew Post 3 and was installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite in a ten-horse field. 

The 1 3/16 mile Preakness (Grade 1) has a scheduled post of 6:47 p.m. Eastern on Saturday at Pimlico in Baltimore.  It will be the 13tth race on a 14-race card that has first post of 10:30 a.m,

Medina Spirit was vanned from Churchill Downs to Pimlico on Monday May 10.  He has been training on the Pimlico  track since Tuesday.

We will have preview stories  of the Preakness beginning Thursday, along with updates on the situation on Medina Spirit.

Here are post positions for the Preakness--with trainers, jockeys and morning line odds.

1. Ram--D.W. Lukas, R. Santana Jr, 30-1 

2. Keepmeinmind--R. Diodoro, D. Cohen, 15-1

3. Medina Spirit--B.  Baffert, J. Velazquez, 9-5

4. Crowded Trade-C. Brown,J. Castellano, 10-1

5. Midnight Bourbon-S. Asmussen, I Ortiz, 5-1

6. Rombauer--M. McCarthy, F. Prat, 12-1

7. France Go de Ina--I. Mori, J. Rosario, 20-1

8. Unbridled Honor--T. Pletcher, L. Saez, 15-1

9. Risk Taking--C. Brown, J. Ortiz, 15-1

10. Concert Tour-- B.Baffert, M. Smith, 5-2















Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Medina Spirit Allowed to Enter Preakness, with "Rigorous Conditions"

The draw for posts for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes will be held at 4:00 p.m. Eastern today (Tuesday  May  11).

 Pimlico Race Course and its affiliates issued this press release at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.


BALTIMORE --1/ST RACING and the Maryland Jockey Club announced today that Medina Spirit will be permitted to enter into the 146th Preakness Stakes (GI) to be run on Saturday, May 15th  at Pimlico,

 That permission comes with rigorous conditions to entry along with a binding commitment from Bob Baffert to full transparency of medical and testing results that will allow for all results to be released to the public.

 The decision comes following the May 9th announcement of a reported medication positive of betamethasone, an allowable therapeutic, as a result of the post-race blood sample testing following the 147th Kentucky Derby involving Medina Spirit trained by Bob Baffert. Baffert has disputed those claims.

 As a condition of acceptance of the entry, Baffert has provided his consent to the Maryland Jockey Club to allow for rigorous testing and monitoring in addition to that conducted by the Maryland Racing Commission (MRC).

 Those additional tests and monitoring are to ensure the fairness and integrity of the races entered by horses trained by Baffert, which are the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GII) and the 146th Preakness Stakes (GI).  A copy of Baffert’s consent agreement is attached.  It has also been provided by Baffert to the MRC.

 Medina Spirit and Concert Tour are presently entered into the 146th Preakness Stakes and Beautiful Gift in the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. All graded stakes races will be run free of race day medications.

 Consistent with the fair procedures and practices established by 1/ST RACING and MJC, Baffert consents to the disclosure of information and results of the MRC and MJC tests, along with other relevant medical and administrative records to the MJC and Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer, 1/ST RACING.

 

If any of the three Baffert horses test positive for a banned substance, or at a level for a permitted therapeutic substance that is above the designated limit, or if after medical review, reasonable conditions warrant, Baffert or MJC on his behalf, will scratch the horse in question.
 

“Integrity, accountability and safety in our sport are principles that 1/ST RACING puts above all else. Our company has a track record of instituting process and protocols that have led to nationwide medication reforms and we are unwavering in our commitment to put horse and rider safety at the forefront,” said Craig Fravel, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING. “We are well aware of the public outcry and calls for action that have been the natural outcome of a medication positive in one of the most iconic races in our sport and we share the disappointment and concern. 

 

Preakness Draw Set for 4:00 p.m. Tuesday

At 4:00  p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will hold the post position draw for Saturday's Preakness Stakes.

Earlier on Tuesday, it is expected that Pimlico and its parent company The Stronach Group will announce whether they will allow the Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit to run in the Preakness. 

The status of the Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit is in doubt because of a failed drug test in the Kentucky Derby, which was run on May 1 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

On Tuesday evening we will have a report on the Preakness post draw and other Preakness news.




Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Gulfstream: Two Carryovers on Thursday Card

After being dark for three days, Gulfstream Park will resume racing on Thursday with  eight races and first post of 12:50 p.m.

The Thursday card will start with a first race carryover of $12,010.22 on the Super Hi-5.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $342,508.The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on races three to eight, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:58 p.m.

This link to the  Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Thursday. It has click-ons for handicapping material. Some is free. Some, including past performances, is at cost.

Per its regular spring/summer meet schedule, Gulfstream will have racing from Thursday through Sunday this week. 

This Saturday, May 8, Gulfstream will have the $75,000 English Channel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-YOs.

On Sunday, May 9,  Gulfstream will have the $60,000 The Name's Jimmy Stakes at one mile on dirt for 3-YOs ad up.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, Gulfstream is admitting spectators on a limited basis. Information may be obtained by calling the Gulfstream box office at (954) 457-6201.




Sunday, May 2, 2021

Rainbow 6 Coming Up at Gulfstream

The fifth race on Gulfstream Park's Sunday card is coming up, with scheduled post of 2:54 p.m.

It will be the start of the Rainbow 6, with a carryover of $288,645.

On Saturday, Gulfstream had the first two stakes races of its spring/summer meet,

Well Defined beat R Mercedes Boy by 4 1/2 lengths in the $75,000 Big Drama at seven furlongs on dirt for Florida-bed 3-YO and up.  Emisael Jaramillo rode Well Defined for trainer/owner Kathleen O'Connell.

Con Lima beat Karakstsie by four lengths in the $75,000 Honey Ryder Stakes for 3-YO fillies. Paco Lopez rode Con Lima for trainer Todd Pletcher.

 

Medina Spirit Edges Mandaloun in Derby; Victory is Record Seventh for Baffert

 HRFLA Staff Report

NOTE: We will have expanded coverage of the Kentucky Derby later on Sunday and on Monday.


Medina Spirit beat fellow longshot Mandaloun by a half-length in Saturday's $3 million Kentucky Derby (Grade 1), giving trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh victory in the classic race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Good Time Charlie finished third, a half-length behind Mandaloun. Essential Quality came in fourth, a head behind Good Time Charlie, in the 19-horse field.

Essential Quality came into the Kentucky Derby with wins in all five of his career starts and was the 5-2 favorite on Saturday.

Ben Jones trained six Kentucky Derby winners between 1938 and 1952.

Medina Spirit, sent off at 12-1 odds, led at every call and won in 2:01.20 on the dirt track listed as fast. He is the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby gate-to-wire since War Emblem, another Baffert trainee, in 2002.

John Velazquez rode Medina Spirit--for his fourth Kentucky Derby victory.

On Friday, Velazquez rode Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) winner Mathalaat for trainer Todd Pletcher.

He is the eighth jockey to ride the Oaks winner and Derby winner in the same year.

Mandaloun, at 26-1, was ridden by Florent Geroux. Brad Cox trains Mandaloun and Essential Quality.

The Kentucky Derby victory was the third in six career starts for Medina Spirit, who is owned by Zedan Racing Stables.

His previous four races this year were in stakes at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

He won the Robert B. Lewis (Grade 3) and finished second in the Sham (Grade 3), San Felipe (Grade 2) and Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1).

Medina Spirit is a Florida-bred son of Protonico out of the Brilliant Speed mare Mongolian Changa.

Zedan purchased him for $35,000 at the July 2020 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's sale. 


 

Tampa Bay: Grunder's Last Race Call is Today; We Will Have It Live on RadioStPete

 By Bob Bauer

Today brings the close of the winter/spring meeting at Tampa Bay Downs. Conditions are fast and firm, there are ten races scheduled. First Post time is 12:32 p.m,

GRUNDER'S LAST CALL  Legendary announcer Richard Grunder will retire after Race 10 today. 

Post time for the race is 5:18 p.m.

It will be our feature race of the day, with live coverage on RadioStPete    online.

Grunder, a native of Dodge City, Kansas was born into the Thoroughbred business. As a boy, he accompanied his Dad and Grandfather every summer when they campaigned a modest stable to several tracks in the mid-west.

His first racetrack job as a youth was running photo finish pictures to the placing judges in the 1960's. Since then, he has served as a Clocker, Placing Judge, Jockey Agent and of course the voice of Tampa Bay Downs for thirty seven years. He also called races at several tracks in the West and Canada before coming to Oldsmar in 1983.

He has earned the title "Dean of American Race Callers", not only for his longevity but his expertise. Racing fans have relied on his accurate and exciting descriptions for decades. You can close your eyes and listen to his call and picture the race unfolding as the field progress around the course.

 His replacement (currently unnamed) will have some very large shoes to fill. Richard and his wife Diana, plan to travel and visit racetracks (what else!) around the country. He plans to continue as a Jockey Agent at Canterbury Downs this summer.

Congratulations on a great career!! 

THE BET  Race 10

$20 to win on Friendly Fella (2) (could be named after Richard Grunder) and a $3 exacta box with KING ANDRES (7) and BLACK PRONG (11) 2,7,11. Total Bet $38  GOOD LUCK!!


Saturday, May 1, 2021

Kentucky Derby Picks

Our Recommended bets for today's Kentucky Derby:

* W P S  Essential Quality (14)

*Exacta Box 

1 Known Agenda 

9 Hot Rod Charlie

14 Essential Quality

17 Highly Motivated

Predicted Order of finish

1  Essential Quality  (14)

2  Known Agenda (1)

3  Highly Motivated (17)

4   Hot Rod Charlie (9)

5  Super Stock (18)

6   Rock Your World (15)




 

Tampa: Seventh Race is Saturday Feature


By Bob Bauer

Our feature this Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs is the seventh race with scheduled post at 3:35 p.m.

Our coverage on RadioStPete    online will begin at  3: 32 p.m.  It will include the race call of legendary track announcer Richard  Grunder.

Our Pick to win is Vegas Life (4).

The Bet: $10 Win and $10 Place on 4 

$3 exacta box on Vegas Life (4), Stop It (6) and Dohko (7).

Total Bet  $58

Sunday will be Grunder's final day at Tampa Bay Downs.  He is retiring after 37 years on that job.

We will have tributes here and on the air.