Gulfstream announces 2011-12 stakes schedule

In order to better accommodate horsemen with three-year-olds pointed toward

the Triple Crown, the $400,000 Fountain of Youth, a major prep for the Florida

Derby, will be run at 1 1/16 miles for the first time since 2004. The race has

been run at 1 1/8 miles six of the last seven years and at a mile in 2009.

"We are very excited and looking forward to our upcoming season and building

off last year's success," Gulfstream President and General Manager Timothy Ritvo

said. "We believe the stakes schedule offers the perfect program for

three-year-olds pointing toward the spring classics, and there are numerous

opportunities for older horses on both the dirt and turf.

"While running the Florida Derby last season on the first Sunday in April was

a huge success, a similar schedule this year would have resulted in running the

Florida Derby on Palm Sunday. Because we don't want to exclude our customers and

fans in New York from one of our biggest days, we decided to run the Florida

Derby this season on the last Saturday in March."

Gulfstream's stakes schedule for horses pointing toward the Triple Crown will

once again be rich in opportunity. Along with the Gulfstream Park Derby and

Fountain of Youth, the three-year-old schedule also includes the Holy Bull at a

mile on January 29, the $150,000 Hutcheson S. (G2) at seven furlongs on February

11, and the Swale S. (G2) at seven furlongs on March 10.

The Florida Derby program is sure to be one of the finest racing days of the

calendar year. Gulfstream will play host to seven stakes races on Derby day,

including six graded. They are: the Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park Oaks,

$150,000 Rampart S. (G3), $150,000 Orchid S. (G3) $100,000 Appleton S. (G3), and

$100,000 Skip Away S. (G3).

Gulfstream's 2011-12 season kicks off for the first time in its 69-year

history in December. The opening week's stakes schedule will include the 30th

running of the $100,000 Spectacular Bid going six furlongs on December 3.

The first of Gulfstream's 33 graded stakes occurs December 10 with the

$100,000 Sugar Swirl S. (G3) for fillies and mares. The weekend of December 17

features the $60,000 Harlan's Holiday S. for three-year-olds and up and the

$100,000 Dania Beach going a mile on the turf. The $100,000 Mr. Prospector S.

(G3) for three-year-olds and up going six furlongs will be run New Year's Eve.

Gulfstream will also play host to Florida Bonanza Day on April 7, a day of

racing highlighted by several Florida-bred stakes races.