By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
The third weekend in March is shaping up to be a relatively quiet day on the horse racing front. There is not a Road to the Kentucky Derby or a Road to the Kentucky Oaks Qualifiers on the agenda.
However, Gulfstream Parks put together a competitive Saturday card marked with three stakes. Let’s take a quick look at each feature race:
Any limit S.
I can’t argue with anyone who wants to support # 5 Spirit Wind in this six-feathered dash gives a three-year-old filling. Driven by hot trainer Ralph Nicks (31% winner at this Gulfstream meeting), the Spirit Wind is the best ton in the first Florida mixed-breed special weight class on this track and distance. last month, leading all the way to dominate 15 1/2 lengths.
But I prefer someone with experience #6 Strategy Birds. Noble Bird’s speed daughter also beat her maidenhood spectacularly against Florida crossbreeds at Gulfstream Park, producing quick fractions of: 21.96 and: 45.16 before draw 12 3/4 length. She then displayed impressive determination in the Sandpiper S. 5 1/2-furlong at Tampa Bay Downs, setting splits: 21.93 and: 44.91 before digging in to win by neck.
Strategic Bird was beaten in third place in Tampa’s seven-feather Gasparilla S. two months ago, but it wasn’t a bad attempt. After hitting the fast fractions of: 22.09 and: 44.65, Strategic Bird led into a house, only to be overtaken by a pair of late runners in the final game.
Cutting down to six feathers would be a great fit for Strategic Bird, and the audacity she displays in setting quick fractions against stake competition will come in handy in Any Limit. I believe that Strategic Bird can beat Spirit Wind to take the lead and maintain its advantage until the finish line.
Silks Run S.
There are many reasonable opponents in this five-feathered lawn, but I have to agree #3 Get Me Redwho boasts a perfect 5 to 5 sprint record on grass.
Four of those wins were at stake, including live scores at the Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational S. (G3) and the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship S. So far, no one has figured out how to catch Arrest Me Red on his preferred distance and surface.
Arrest Me Red hasn’t run since November, but he’s been training in a storm at Payson Park (doing three bullet drills since February 12) and should be ready to roll for the extreme trainer hot Wesley Ward, who played 9 to -21 (43%) at Gulfstream Park this winter. Hot jockey Irad Ortiz (27% Gulfstream winner) is named to ride, and Arrest Me Red has outstanding tactical speed from the start, a boon as 43% of sprints The five races at Gulfstream are won by the jockey.
For all these reasons, Arrest Me Red seems hard to refuse in Silks Run. I expect him to start his season with a win.
Hutchson S.
Seven fast-paced sophomores will sprint six times in this dirty competitive race, including proven stakes like Inaugural winner S. # 7 CattinPasco S. came in second # 5 Provocateurand fourth place finisher of Breeders’ Futurity (G1) #2 American Sanctuary.
But despite the quality of the pitch, the one who runs to beat is definitely #4 Nitrogen Channel. After all, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner son Nyquist ran impressively on his debut on this track, distance and level on February 5, tracking a solid pace before Receive command win 2 1/4 length.
This is a strong performance in many respects. The Nitrous channel runs fast on the clock, stopping the timer at 1:10.03 to capture solid speed numbers of 94 (Beyer) and 97 (Brisnet). Equally important, third-place finisher Unikee returned to win the next start with the same track, distance and class level, improving the Nitrous Channel’s record.
Nitrous Channel’s tactical pace is compelling, and the presence of jockey Tyler Gaffalione (19% winner at Gulfstream) adds to the appeal. The Nitrous Channel sold for $625,000 as a kid and was nominated for the Triple Crown, so his future looks bright and victory at Hutcheson will show up on the next leg of his ascent. that.
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in the weekend bet?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, amputee, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
