Gulfstream Park

Dunkirk ran well but Quality Road ran a monster race in the Florida Derby.

Dunkirk has shown a lot of promise but a track record effort for Quality Road, a pretty and fast son of Elusive Quality out of a daughter of Strawberry Road. Casey's On Call set the early pace, with Dunkirk, a $3.7 million yearling making his third start, threatened but finished a tired second.

Continue reading "Quality Road cashes Derby ticket in record time"

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Having won the Grade 1 Turf Handicap in one of the numerous notable races that went off at Gulfstream Park last weekend, and having pushed his bankroll past $3 million dollars, the self-reliant Kip Deville is now pointed towards the Dubai Duty Free in March. Trainer Rick Dutrow's goal is to get his unflappable six-year old gray the male turf horse Eclipse award for 2009. If there were a lifetime achievement turf horse Eclipse, Kip would smoke the competition. As it stands, he's a sure bet for the Hall of Fame and to have more than one graded stakes named after him some day, but I'd love for him to get an Eclipse Award and be officially celebrated in his own time.

Continue reading "Kip Kip Hooray - It's Another Day ..."

I'm verklempt. Hurray for Albertus Maximus's win in the Donn Handicap. He ran just like his pop, a complete professional, and has really moved up in the world. He's now owned by Shadwell Stables (which paid a substantial sum for him), trained by Invasor's trainer, Kieran McLaughlin, and pointed towards the Dubai World Cup. I could listen to McLaughlin say nice things about Albertus Maximus all day. Congratulations also to the almost too-aptly-named runner-up, FinallyMadeIt, a horse who was partially paralyzed behind at birth, and who has successfully propelled himself from sprinting to going long. FinallyMadeIt runs his heart out and is a joy to watch.

Continue reading "My Baby! Albertus Maximus Wins the ..."

cond anniversary of Barbaro's death, Barbaro's full brother goes in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.  Gulfstream's given this event a marquee spot, sandwiched between two important stakes races - the Holy Bull for three year olds on the Derby trail, and the Donn Handicap for top flight older horses.  I have a good feeling about Nicanor, who has come on in his training the past few weeks, but with Barbaro's own jockey, Edgar Prado, aboard for the occasion, the pressure is unbearable.  I can't even watch between my fingers. 

Continue reading "Tell Me When It's Over - and Go Albertus Maximus"

In yesterday's Hutcheson, Capt. Candyman Can showed he's got a learning curve when he was able to settle down, drop back off the pace, then come on easily in the lane to dispose of Hello Broadway.

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