Knightsbridge, Lush Lips triumph on Gulfstream undercard

A steady parade of longshots dominated the first half of Gulfstream Park's program on Saturday, until Knightsbridge outclassed four rivals in the $200,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (G3) by 11 1/4 lengths under Junior Alvarado.

Sent off the 1-5 favorite, Knightsbridge stormed past pacesetter Mika on the far turn and steadily drew off to win in a procession. It was his third stakes win of the meet, following 4 3/4-length triumphs in the Mr. Prospector (G3) and Fred W. Hooper (G3).

"I think he's the best miler in the country right now. It was almost like a paid workout," Alvarado said.

A homebred racing for Godolphin, Knightsbridge covered the fast-track test in 1:35.77 and paid $2.40. Steal Sunshine was second by a half-length over Flying Liam.

There's a couple of very important races coming up at one turn and we're probably going to give that a try right now, potentially at Churchill Downs," said trainer Bill Mott, referring to the May 3 Churchill Downs (G1). "Naturally, I'd love to have a horse to run in the Met Mile (G1) if it turns out that way. He'd be a possibility."

The five-year-old son of Nyquist has won six of eight starts.

Another public choice to win was Lush Lips, who kicked off her four-year-old campaign with a rallying score in the $150,000 Honey Fox (G3) over one mile on firm turf.

Victorious last season in three stakes, including the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) and Mrs. Revere (G2), Lush Lips registered her third consecutive victory under Tyler Gaffalione by three parts of a length over Classic Q.

Owned by Dixiana Farm and trained by Brendan Walsh, Lush Lips covered the course in 1:33.71 and paid $5.40.

The third stakes winner on the day at Gulfstream for Walsh, Lush Lips is a daughter of Ten Sovereigns and has won six of 12 starts.

The seven-year-old veteran Grand Sonata earned his first win in more than a year and a half with a half-length triumph in the $205,000 Mac Diarmida (G2) over Echo Lane.

Winless in 10 outings since taking the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) in September 2024, Grand Sonata earned his third stakes win and first in four years at Gulfstream under Gaffalione, who had three stakes wins himself on Saturday.

Owned by breeder Whisper Hill Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, Grand Sonata paid $14.20. He covered 1 3/8 miles in 2:11.26.

By Medaglia d'Oro, Grand Sonata has won six of 34 starts.

Tiz Dashing made his first start against older rivals a winning one with an 11-1 upset of the $150,000 Canadian Turf (G3).

Under Javier Castellano, the son of Tiz the Law dominated late to win by 3 3/4 lengths. In a blanket finish for the minor awards, Battle of Normandy edged Beach Gold for second by a head. Wolfie's Dynaghost, the 1-2 favorite, retreated to fifth in the field of eight.

Owned by Sackatoga Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg, Tiz Dashing paid $24.80. His final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:38.07.

The Canadian Turf was the second stakes win for Tiz Dashing, who landed the Hill Prince (G3) at Aqueduct last November. He's placed in three other stakes, including the Manila (G3), Tropical Park Derby, and Awad S.

The $175,000 Colonel Liam S. for three-year-olds was won with a late burst by Vasy, who denied Honey Dutch by a neck under Flavien Prat. Zeppelin finished two lengths behind in third, with 2-1 favorite Thousandsticks fourth.

Owned by JDT Racing and trained by Brendan Walsh, Vasy paid $19.40 after covering one mile on the turf in 1:33.22.

Now 2-for-2 routing after a last-out maiden going 7 1/2 furlongs, the son of Space Blues is 2-for-5 overall.

Another last-out maiden winner trained by Walsh, Lion Lake, toppled 7-10 favorite Sister Troienne in the $175,000 Herecomesthebride (G3) for three-year-old fillies.

Surging late inside of the three-time stakes winner, Lion Lake prevailed by a head in a time of 1:32.80 for one mile on the turf. She paid $24.20.

Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione for owner Emcee Stable, the daughter of Dark Angel improve her record to 2-for-5.

Just Basking, unplaced in her only prior turf start nearly a year ago, rallied from the rear of the field to defeat No Show Sammy Jo by a neck in the $150,000 The Very One (G3) for fillies and mares.

A 13-1 chance, Just Basking finished up 1 3/8 miles on the turf in 2:11.31 and paid $29. Ridden by Javier Castellano, she races for owner-breeders Andrew Schwarz and Wendy Schwarz Gilder.

A five-year-old Ian Wilkes-trained daughter of Arrogate, Just Basking was winning for the third time in nine starts. Her lone prior stakes win had come on dirt, in the 2024 Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows.