Gulfstream Park Notebook

GULFSTREAM PARK NOTEBOOK

APRIL 15, 2005

by

Dick Powell

The fireworks of the Florida Derby (G1) are long gone and the plan to keep

most of the stables here to the bitter end isn't working real

well. Week 14 of the Gulfstream meet was a quiet one and if it weren't for

the magnificent turf course, the racing would have been pretty bad.

Fair Grounds used to be the turf-sprint capital of North American racing, but Gulfstream has been giving them a run for their money. Last week, seven

5 1/2-furlong turf sprints were held. They drew good

fields and yielded some amazing running times.

On Wednesday, which featured one turf sprint, FLYING CIRCLE (Pembroke)

rallied from off the pace to win by a length in :55.56. Thursday saw three turf

sprints run with T. D. VANCE (Rahy) winning by a neck after dueling for the lead

in :55.30; SILVER MOOSE (Concorde's Tune) running down a clear leader and pulling

away to an easy win in :54.98; and WORLDLINESS (Suave Prospect) overcoming post 11

and rallying widest of all to get up at the wire by a head in :55.69.

Rain fell Friday and no turf racing was held. On Saturday, ZI NIGHT (Ghazi)

won by four lengths in :55.96 over a course that did not seem to be affected by Friday's

precipitation. PARISIAN AFFAIR (Mr. Greeley) also proved successful, winning a ding-dong battle by a neck in

:54.93, and then there was PROCREATE (Mt. Livermore).

The seven-year-old won his first turf sprint race here last out

against starter allowance company in :56 only two weeks ago and John

Zimmerman wheeled him right back against stakes foes in Saturday's Yankee Affair

S. The public dismissed Procreate at 16-1 odds despite drawing post 2. Choose (Arch) was made the even-money favorite based on a fast win in his turf-sprint

debut last out, but his pace-prompting running style figured to result in another

wide trip.

Eddie King gunned Procreate to the front right at the start and opened a

clear lead going into the turn. He covered the first quarter in an amazing :20.97

then showed that was no fluke with the half in :42.51. He had a five-length

lead at this point and cruised home in a world-record time of :53.79.

It was quite a weekend for John Zimmerman who, besides winning the Yankee

Affair with Procreate, upset the Lafayette S. (G3) at Keeneland with More Smoke (Smoke Glacken). Not bad for a trainer who is based at Penn National for

most of the year.

The turf course came up big again with four races being run over it each of

the four days it didn't rain. Times were sensational as usual and horses with

clear paths had the advantage. With races getting harder to fill, having four

turf races a day is a luxury few tracks can afford and considering the meet is

in week 14, the course has held up beautifully. Can't imagine how bad the racing

would be without it.

There were only two main track races going two turns and one was an

off-the-turf marathon. Both were won from off the pace.

In main track races going one turn, 18 of 31 (58 percent) winners were first or

second after the first quarter mile. With only 7.06 starters per one-turn race,

this is not that unusual. On Friday, with a sloppy track, horses on the outside,

whether on the pace or coming from behind, had an advantage.

There were seven turf sprints run last week and five (71 percent) were won

by horses that were first or second after the first quarter mile. In turf races

going two turns, four of nine (44 percent) were won by horses that were first or second

after the first quarter mile. Average field size was 9.33

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/6)

2ND - PERSONAL NOTEBOOK (Miner's Mark) ran an amazing race considering her

recent form on the dirt was terrible. She chased the pace and made a strong

three-wide move before weakening in both her turf and two-turn debut.

4TH - RAGING GLORY (Lil's Lad) lost all chance when bumped at the start

then stuck in traffic while making her first start off the claim by Frank

Carlisi.

6TH - WINSOME (War Chant) pressed a brutal pace on the outside before being

carried wide in a blazing-fast turf sprint.

8TH - ADJUST (Affirmed) couldn't overcome the extreme outside post, a slow

pace and a wide trip, but still rallied for third.

Thursday (4/7)

4TH - STARSHIP ZIM (Miesque's Son) rallied strong in his turf sprint debut

behind a blazing pace and should be tough when stretched back out.

8TH - MY HIDDEN STORM (Storm Boot) was shuffled back and forced to rally

wide in her turf debut.

9TH - HIGHBROOK GIRL (Montbrook) was disqualified after bearing in turning

for home, but the three-year-old miss showed ability in her career debut.

Friday (4/8)

4TH - OUTSHINE (Out of Place) ran into traffic at the start then was stuck

down on the inside over a sloppy track that favored outside paths.

8TH - WESTERN MAN (Double Honor) rallied up the rail to get third going six

furlongs in a fast time while down on the inside.

Saturday (4/9)

6TH - CAPITOL PANIC (Montbrook) rallied nicely for second in his career

debut for Steve DiMauro, who only wins at 9 percent with first time starters.

8TH - SUMMER'S LULLABY (Successful Appeal) rushed up into contention after

breaking slowly and in her second career start and shouldn't be a maiden much

longer.

9TH - CHOOSE (Arch) lost all chance when he broke slowly and couldn't make

up enough ground in a world record turf sprint.

11TH - ABYSSINIAN CAT (Western Cat) had a nightmare trip in her second turf

start and should improve with a clean trip.

Sunday (4/10)

6TH - SEA TALES (Belong to Me) rallied for third despite traffic problems

in his first start in 212 days.

7TH - GOLD STREET BLUES (Seeking The Gold) wound up setting the pace while

being pressed on the inside.