Gulfstream Park Notebook

GULFSTREAM PARK NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 11, 2005

by Dick Powell

Gulfstream Park was the center of the racing universe on Saturday when they

ran six graded stakes races. And yet, the memorable horses from Saturday may

have run on the undercard. More on that later.

First a word about weird running distances of stakes races. I can understand

when a track runs a distance like 5 1/2 furlongs, especially on the turf when

they want a longer straight run into the first turn. But to run three graded

stakes at odd distances - two at 6 1/2 furlongs and one at 7 1/2 furlongs - like

Gulfstream did on Saturday makes no sense. Why bother to run at these in-between

distances when you don't have to. Now that they have a mile chute, what is the

point of running 7 1/2 furlongs?

The first graded stakes of Saturday came in the Old Hat S. (G3) for

three-year-old fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. MADDALENA (Good

and Tough) was making her stakes debut for Todd Pletcher off a monster allowance

win here in week two. The public couldn't get enough of her and dispatched her as

the 7-10 favorite with the second choice Alfonsina (Grand Slam) going off at

4.90-to-1.

Maddalena showed brilliant speed in both career starts and John Velazquez

sent her to the front when the gates opened. For a brief moment, it looked like

Pletcher's other entrant, Portsea (More Than Ready), might duel with her

stablemate down the backstretch, but Velazquez had a ton of horse and was

teaching Maddalena how to relax. She seized command around the far turn and drew

off to an easy 7 1/4-length win over Alfonsina, covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in

1:16.31.

With Maddalena's pedigree, Pletcher has an interesting decision to make in

regard to her next start, but the chestnut at least showed a bit of a new

dimension Saturday when she stalked the pace instead of setting it.

The next graded race was the 7 1/2-furlong Hutcheson S. (G2) for

three-year-olds. Once again, Pletcher/Velazquez had the odds-on favorite, but

the race was not as easy as the final margin indicated. PROUD ACCOLADE (Yes It's

True) came into the event off two straight losses at the end of last season, but

he was three for three going one turn.

After a slow break from the rail, Velazquez found himself trailing the early

speed going into the turn and boxed in. He was steadied briefly behind Carson's

Bridge (Carson City) and dropped back to fifth of six with a quarter mile to

run. Velazquez decided to drop back and circle and I was ready to start second

guessing his tactic of leaving the best part of the track, but class prevailed

and Proud Accolade exploded in the homestretch, winning by a widening 4 1/2

lengths over Park Avenue Ball (Citidancer).

Proud Accolade covered the 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:29.90 and I defy anyone to

make the case what it means. The chart of the race doesn't give the

seven-furlong split and he probably would have covered a mile in around 1:36 and

change. Not bad, but hard to measure. In any event, Pletcher has another

talented three-year-old with a sprint pedigree that will take him as far as he

is able to go, but he at least showed the burst of energy that all good horses

have.

Next came the Davona Dale S. (G2) for three-year-olds fillies at 1 1/8 miles

on the main track. Even though we had an even money favorite in SIS CITY (Carson

City), two other fillies went off at 21-10 and 25-10, respectively, so it looked

like this might be a competitive race.

WRONG!

Velazquez (who else) sent the former $50,000 claim to the front as expected

and the winner of the nine-furlong Demoiselle S. (G2) at the end of 2004 proved

that that race was no fluke. She cruised along on an easy lead around both turns

and came to the top of the stretch a couple of lengths in front. Like the other

favorites in the previous stakes races, Sis City owns a sprint pedigree, but she

showed how far speed can carry when they can relax.

In a blink of an eye, Sis City opened up on the field and suddenly had five

lengths on her nearest challenger. Quickly, it became 10 and at the wire it was

an amazing 16-length margin. Track announcer Vic Stauffer sounded like he was

going to fall out of the booth as he called the stretch run -- it was truly

special. The final time of 1:50.20 for the nine furlongs was excellent and

Dutrow can now choose among the Bonnie Miss S. (G2), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) or

Fantasy S. (G2) as a lead-up to the Kentucky Oaks (G1). As fast as she is, Sis

City likely won't get back to one-turn races until later this year at Belmont.

With the crowd still buzzing two races later, older sprinters came out on the

track for the 6 1/2-furlong Deputy Minister H. (G2). Kela (Numerous) was sent

off as the narrow even-money favorite over MEDALLIST (Touch Gold), who was next

in the wagering at 11-10. Kela was a good second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint

(G1) before running poorly in the Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) in his last start at

Santa Anita. His one-dimensional closing style figured to put him at a

disadvantage at Gulfstream where sprint races have been dominated by forwardly

placed horses.

Medallist showed a new dimension in his previous start when winning the Kenny

Noe Jr. H. at Calder from just off the pace. The confirmed front runner usually

runs as fast as he can as long as he can and his back-to-back wins last year in

the Withers S. (G3) and Dwyer S. (G2) were sensational. Plus, he broke his

maiden here last year, although this is a different main track than last year.

Jose Santos sent Medallist to the front out of the gate but didn't

have to use too much energy to do it. The four-year-old covered his first

quarter in :22.73 and half in :45.63 - walk-in-the-park type speed for him. As

he turned for home, Medallist began to wander out toward the middle of the track

and Mister Fotis (Diligence) was beginning to make up some ground at the eighth

pole. Just when it looked like Medallist was going to do his best imitation of

Swain (Ire), Santos hit him over the head a couple of times with his right-hand

stick and Medallist straightened out and flew right to a 1 3/4-length win.

Mister Fotis was second and Kela came another five lengths back in a

non-threatening third-place effort.

Medallist covered 6 1/2 furlongs in a spritely 1:15.62, with a six-furlong

split of 1:09.37. He's won going 1 1/16 miles, but never at two turns. One would

think the Metropolitan Mile (G1) would be on trainer Allen Jerkens' radar screen

for this son of a Belmont (G1) winner who just can't seem to carry his speed past a

mile.

The Donn H. (G1) attracted a field of six and the public narrowed it down to

three contenders -- SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado), Roses in May (Devil His Due) and

Eddington (Unbridled). Roses in May was the 13-10 favorite based on his three

consecutive graded wins last year and gallant second behind Ghostzapper (Awesome

Again) in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Eddington had an impressive win over

the track at the nine-furlong distance, and Saint Liam broke through with his

first graded victory in his last start when taking the Clark H. (G2) at

Churchill in November.

Velazquez sent Roses in May to the front as expected, but Edgar Prado was not

going to let them get away aboard Saint Liam. Prado set up shop on Roses in

May's outside flank as those two ran as a team to the far turn, but Saint Liam

suddenly began to draw away. Suddenly he had a clear margin over Roses in May as

they arrived at the top of the stretch, and Saint Liam cruised to a 3 3/4-length

win. It was the second stakes win on the day for trainer Dutrow.

Saint Liam showed glimpses of greatness last year when he was a hard-luck

second in the New Orleans H. (G2) to Peace Rules and a sensational second to

Horse of the Year Ghostzapper in the Woodward (G1). His win in the Clark was a

breakthrough performance for him and the Donn confirmed it. He has a terrific

cruising speed going two turns and has developed enough to now put his rivals

away. His final time of 1:48.43 will earn a huge BRIS Speed figure and place him in

the highest echelon of the handicap division.

Finally, the last graded stakes on Saturday was the Holy Bull S. (G3) for

three-year-old going nine furlongs on the main track. High Fly (Atticus),

undefeated winner of the Aventura S. in his last start here going a mile, was made the 3-5 favorite by the betting public. Others taking money were

Dearest Mon (Maria's Mon) at 3-1 and CLOSING ARGUMENT (Successful Appeal) at

almost 8-1.

Right from the start, Kansas City Boy (Boston Harbor) and Closing Argument

went at it. With the new nine-furlong circumference of Gulfstream, there is a

very short run into the first turn and speed horses gain a temporary advantage.

These two went out fast - :46.79 for the half - and High Fly was wide

throughout.

Cornelio Velasquez had Closing Argument in behind Kansas City Boy to the far

turn then moved out to mount his challenge. Like a turf horse racing covered up,

swinging to the outside is a signal for the horse to go and Closing Argument

went. He drew even at the top of the stretch and began to gradually improve his

margin to 1 1/2 lengths at the wire over Kansas City Boy. It was another

half-length back to High Fly.

Closing Argument's final time of 1:50.14 was solid, but it remains to be seen

if his sprint pedigree will carry him much farther. He did show a willingness to

rate but had a good trip with only one horse to get by. But, for now, he has

some very valuable graded stakes earnings that could come in handy three months

from now.

Now, for the real stars of the day. On Saturday's undercard, NOBLE CAUSEWAY

(Giant's Causeway) broke his maiden for Nick Zito in his fourth start and first

going two turns. Purchased for $1.15 million at Keeneland's September yearling

sale in 2003 by My Meadowview Farm, Noble Causeway was a good second to Dearest

Mon two starts back and then second here to BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus) going

seven furlongs in very fast time.

Noble Causeway chased the pace in midpack with Prado and made his move to the

lead on the far turn when up the inside. He drew off to an easy two-length win

and recorded a good final time of 1:51.49. The chestnut also showed that longer

races in the future will be no problem. After the race, Zito indicated he would

try to run Noble Causeway back in an allowance race and then take on stakes

horses. He's been listed at 100-1 at Bally's (I have the ticket) and at least

you know that if he's healthy and sound, Zito will run him.

Later on Saturday, the aforementioned Bandini made his two-turn debut in a

first-level allowance event going nine furlongs. Sent off as the even-money

favorite, Bandini gunned to the front and never looked back, drawing off to an

easy nine-length win and covering nine furlongs in 1:51.03. Pletcher will have

to find a stakes engagement for him next out and the Louisiana Derby (G2) might

set him up perfectly for the $1 million Florida Derby (G1), which is now run in

early April.

Wednesday (2/2)

1ST - GETYOURFUNSANNIE (Demaloot Demashoot) dropped down in class and chased

the speed until the deep stretch. Stay with her if they run her back at the same

claiming price.

3RD - CREVICE (Gulch) rallied from far back after breaking dead last in her

career debut going a mile on the turf and should improve next time out.

7TH - STEEL BUNS (A.P. Indy) added blinkers for the first time and responded

with a strong second going a mile on the turf in a fast time.

9TH - RUNNINGTOTHEALTER (Conquistador Cielo) broke his maiden in his last

start and then had a rough trip here with the winner being disqualified.

10TH - OBERON'S GIRL (Coronado's Quest) broke slow and got into the usual

traffic problems that Fallon's mounts have experienced on the turf here.

Thursday (2/3)

6TH - SOME IRISH LEGEND (Gold Legend) rallied some after a poor break in her

first start in 125 days and should improve next time out.

7TH - ANNA'S BALLERINA (Maria's Mon) had a nightmare trip in her second

career start and should graduate from the maiden ranks very soon.

8TH - BRIVIESCA (GB) (Peintre Celebre) ran well off the layoff for Bill Mott

and rallied for second while being much the best of the rest.

Friday (2/4)

3RD - SKAGWAY (Seeking the Gold) wound up being out kicked to the wire after

being allowed to contest a very slow pace while making his turf debut for Shug

McGaughey. His stakes-winning dam has produced six turf winners, including two

turf stakes winners.

7TH - SUNDROP (Lemon Drop Kid) had a nightmare trip in his career debut

going nine furlongs on the turf here and should improve next time out.

Saturday (2/5)

1ST - TIGERLINE (Unbridled's Song) lost all chance from post 12 when forced

to press the pace on the outside while the winner slipped through on the rail.

2ND - QUREALL (Yes It's True), who finished first by 1 1/4 lengths, was

going to be a good winner at 25-1 odds when he crashed into Holy Rockett (Holy

Bull) into the stretch. The stewards disqualified him, costing me a big exacta

and daily double. Ugh!

11TH - PISCES (Prized) was a Horse to Watch from earlier in the meet but had

no shot after drawing post 12. Give him another chance with a better draw.

Sunday (2/6)

4TH - FEISTY BULL (Holy Bull) did well to get second after the expected

speed duel failed to materialize and he had to do all the chasing.

6TH - KELLY K'S PLEASURE (Kelly Kip) broke on top in her career debut only

to be run down by the favorite. She should improve next out if she gets a rider

switch.

10TH - TRITON (Royal Anthem) was a good third despite sitting behind a slow

pace in his first start in 184 days.

Monday (2/7)

6TH - DECLARATION (Forestry) made a strong middle move out in the middle of

the track before weakening and should improve as the Bobby Frankel-trained

horses get over their barn-wide sickness.