Another challenging Saturday card at Hallandale Beach. This time the focus is on this year’s rendition of the Sunshine Millions, races that in the past were run at both Santa Anita and Gulfstream, but over the last few years, that has been abandoned and only Gulfstream is hosting the races that are left of the series. Twelve races are scheduled for today, lest have a look at them:
1st race: 6 Furlongs. ‘Mdn 43k Purse $43,000 FOR STATE BRED MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD
Notorious Nick (#8) – Works suggest he is very fast out of the gate, and he was hammered at 37 times the stud fee. Entices Javier Castellano to ride him and gets a very favorable outside post.
Squeezeadios (#1) – He has already well run at seven furlongs and now cuts back to six, and if he can work a nice trip from that number one post, he can be very dangerous.
Amnesty (#6) – Pletcher and Velazquez on a first time start means he is well meant, but also means little value at the windows. Works suggest he is ready to go on his bow run.
2nd race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Clm 16000n3L Purse $24,000 (includes $3,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
Follow the Signs (#10) – Seems to have a pace advantage scenario in his favor. Leading jockey Luis Saez takes the call, and trainer De la Cerda hits at 35% when dropping 2 classes. Worked nicely at GPW in preparation.
Bodie Tap (#2) – Returning from two and a half months off, has seven breezes to be ready for this event. Should be close to the pace and gest the services of Eclipse winner Jose Ortiz. First time facing this condition and this seems to be his group.
Affluential (#9) – Doesn’t figure to get the correct pace scenario for his style of running, but Irad returns to the irons and he and the trainer hit at 57% when working together.
3rd race: 6½ Furlongs. ™Clm 6250 Purse $19,000 (includes $2,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Ledecky (#2) – The favorites for this race cast a shadow of doubt in their condition, so I will roll the dice with a filly that has won twice in a row and it’s clearly showing an improvement pattern. Landeros takes over for the injured Zayas.
Song of Melody (#7) – A cold-blooded analysis gives this filly as the one to beat. However, can you completely trust a horse that is not a constant worker and now is conditioned by a trainer that has not win a race since 2017?
She Nailed It (#10) – Won her non winners of two easily and from that outside post she should get a nice stalking trip. Just one work for her return and Jaramillo is not in the saddle are the question marks with her.
4th race: 6 Furlongs. ‘SunMilSptB100K Sunshine Millions Sprint S. Purse $100,000 FLORIDA-BRED FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Reason to Soar (#3) – Comes back from a six month plus layoff and the race will set up nicely for him, as there is a lot of speed signed in. Jose Ortiz takes over the reins from Gaffalione and has a steady work pattern since November for this event.
X Y Jet (#1) – Three things concern me about this great sprinter: the inside post, the number three horse, who is as fast as him out of the gate and the time off. But you have to respect his enormous heart and consistency. His works leading up to this race have been spectacular.
Sweetontheladies (#7) – John Velazquez takes over for Meneses, and the only time he rode this horse, he was third in the Grade I Vanderbilt, a much tougher race than this one. He should be fitter now than for his most recent and Gulfstream historically has been his favorite track.
5th race: 6 Furlongs. ™MC 12500 Purse $21,000 (includes $2,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
Jamaican Magician (#13) – Had to deal with the inside post last time out and was part of the pace all thru the race. Now has a much more comfortable spot on the apparatus, so he can stalk and pounce from the sixteenth pole on.
Infinity Sky (#11) – Returns to the main track after three tries on the lawn, and that race was not trouble exempt for him. Apart from that, he is a more experienced runner now and that last race just ten days ago will serve him as a bolt tightener.
Beso (#8) – Ortiz rode her last time out and now Saez takes the responsibility, jockeys who are constant winners. Had some problems last time out but stayed the course nicely. Fawkes and Saez hit together at a 21% clip.
6th race: 1ˆ Mile. (Turf) ‘SunMilTrfB150K Sunshine Millions Turf S. Purse $150,000 FLORIDA-BRED FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Salute the Coronel (#8) – This race came very salty speed wise, so he will get the pace he needs. Had his share of problems last time out in the Claiming Crown, gets a nice post and leading jockey Saez will be on his saddle. Gulfstream is definitely his favorite track.
Class and Cash (#6) – Its Irad Ortiz taking the call for Jane Cibelli on a horse that is versatile enough to be on the lead, stalk or come from off the pace. I think Irad will sit about three lengths off the pace and from there attack from mid race on.
Driven by Thunder (#4) – This horse is a claim back for Todd Pletcher, something rarely seen. Johnny V. takes over and he ran solidly in the claiming crown, and this second race after the claim back can be the ultimate goal for him.
7th race: 7½ Furlongs. (Turf) ‘Mdn 43k Purse $43,000 FOR STATE BRED MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD.
Souper Jaguar (#9) – Just missed on his bow race and now has the services of Eclipse award finalist and odds on to take it, Irad Ortiz Jr. He should be able to rate him nicely and make his move at the right time to nail them close to the wire.
Justcallmenorman (#8) – Should be part of that early flight and Javier Castellano will ride back for Mark Casse. With four races already under his belt, he is one of the most experienced in this bunch and worked twice in preparation.
Lucky Mike (#2) – His last two trips have not been smooth at all, and was way too close to the pace in that last race. Now Jose Ortiz will be doing the honors and I feel he can rebound from that disappointing last effort.
8th race: 1 Mile. (Turf) OC 75000n1x Purse $51,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
Cable Channel (#4) – Showed an impressive turn of foot when destroying his competition in his debut. Trainer Ralph Nicks gave him ample time to further develop and has four good breezes in preparation for his return. Jose Ortiz gets the nod on the saddle.
Shazier (#6) – From the number two post, he was sort of lackadaisical in his last race, now draws a much more favorable spot in the gate and should be able to track the speed from much closer. I also like the quick turn around and has a work in between.
Proliferate (#9) – Won his debut after going five wide in the turn, now gets Irad on the saddle, and, although he will need to step up against the favorite, he seems to be a very talented individual. Don’t be surprised if he gets the job done.
9th race: 7 Furlongs. Alw 51000n1x Purse $51,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Central Command (#1) – Impressive winner in his debut ten months ago. Of course, you always wonder how good he is coming from such a long layoff, but his works say he is ready to follow up on that very promising debut.
Magic Tapit (#2) – First time racing on the conventional dirt, this Woodbine shipper has the looks of a good longshot. This is just his second race after an extremely long layoff, and in his return race just missed winning. Johnny V. has the call for veteran trainer Roger Attfield.
Articulator (#4) – Second race after the being claimed by Jorge Navarro, this horse was old for just $4,500 and has made over $88,000, and was claimed for $50,000. So he has been a very pleasant surprise for his connections, that look for him to keep performing solidly. Should be able to stalk and then attack from mid pack.
10th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ™‘SunMilFMTB150K Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf S. Purse $150,000 FLORIDA-BRED FILLIES AND MARES, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Picara (#2) – Since Todd Pletcher took over the training of this filly, she is 2 out of 3, and with each race, she has looked better. Now Johnny V. takes control of her reins and we should expect more improvement out of her.
Starship Jubilee (#13) – She is the most seasoned mare of this group, being a Graded winner and multiple stakes winner. Didn’t like at all that last race, I thought she didn’t have an excuse for losing at less than even money, but the pace scenario favors her. Castellano takes over.
Florida Fuego (#6) – She can be considered the wild card in this field. Both of her turf races have been solid, and her dirt races have been against much tougher company. Watch out for her.
11th race: 1 1/8 Mile. ‘SunMilClsB200K Sunshine Millions Classic S. Purse $200,000 FLORIDA-BRED FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Dalmore (#1) – Draws the rail, which is perfect for his style of running. Irad Ortiz is a welcome addition to this colt. For the most part, he has been running against better horses, so I consider this sort of a drop in class. He has run well at the distance and will be a tough beat today.
Souper Tapit (#8) – Ran lights out in an off the grass race last time out, in a race in which he could have won by much more. Johnny V. repeats with him and look for him to be mid pack and then make his late sustained run from the half mile pole on.
Mr. Jordan (#4) – Grizzled old warrior who has done most of his better work at Gulfstream Park West. He has run creditably here also, but he is coming from a bit of a freshening and the nine furlongs is another incognita for him.
12th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Clm 16000 Purse $28,000 (includes $5,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Tweet Kitten (#3) – Just missed last time out in his first race after a five month farm stay. Javier Castellano will be aboard now, and he is a better turf rider than Zayas. Worked nicely for this race and should be the horse to beat.
Mission Driven (#5) – Seems to be the controlling speed of this field, the last time he ran against a similar group, he won easily. Now gets the services of Jose Ortiz and he will be a very tough cookie to chew in this event.
Diplomatic Shaft (#11) – Gets a confident hike in class after being claimed for half of what this race is worth, always a factor to consider. Jimenez is a very underrated jockey, look out, he can be the big longshot late in the card.