After a 5 and a half month hiatus, grass racing is back Gulfstream Park December 1. Grass training at Palm Meadows reopened last month. Two courses were discontinued during the summer and fall months to allow 1/ST Racing’s new turf director, Leif Dickinson, to embark on surface reclamation.
Gulfstream used its synthetic Tapeta surface to accommodate multiple runners on grass while the grass race was on pause.
There are three tagged turf races for the reopening of Gulfstream turf on Thursday and three more on December 2. Florida Thoroughbred Riders Association President Joe Orseno said Ha’ Penny participated in Friday’s feature, a $72,000 subsidized option claim test that will span 7 1/2 across the lawn.
“It looks like Gulfstream has hired the right people for this project,” Orseno said. “I walk on the pitch often and the results have been fantastic. I hope the riders are pleased with the efforts the management have put in and give them the best pitch possible to carry on. .”
Palm Meadows Lawn reopens on November 3, with training hours Thursday through Sunday from 10:00-10:30 a.m. ET.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
