Balanced Field of Sprinters in Deputy Minister

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Frolm Gulfstream Park
A well-matched field of eight sprinters, including the first three finishers in last month's Mr. Prospector Handicap, will do battle at Gulfstream Park Sunday in the Deputy Minister Handicap.

The 12th running of the Deputy Minister, which goes as the 10th event on an 11-race Family Day card, carries a purse of $100,000 guaranteed, plus $50,000 in FTBOA funds for registered Florida-breds.

The favorite's role in the six and a half-furlong event should go to Istintaj, who rolled to a two-length score in the six-furlong Mr. Prospector 'Cap here on Jan. 19. However, he'll meet stiff resistance Sunday from Miners Gamble and Smokin Pete, who ran two-three in that race, and from Sea of Tranquility, who brings a perfect record at the distance into the Deputy Minister.

The others all deserve a look, too. Canfield has won two straight over the Gulfstream track this meeting, while Fantastic Finish won a fast allowance race here Jan. 7, when he was just a head better than Fappie's Notebook and a length and a half in front of Silver Jet.

Mark Hennig trains Istintaj, a 5-year-old son of Nureyev who won four of eight starts last season when he finally got to the races. He came into the Mr. Prospector off seconds in the Phoenix Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) at Keeneland and the Sport Page Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct. In the stake here, Istintaj was able to sit off a fast early pace and make one big move in the stretch that carried him to victory.

Istintaj picks up two pounds to 118 from that score as he goes from Post 5 with Jerry Bailey again taking the reins.

Miners Gamble came from far back to grab the place in the Mr. Prospector, a neck before Smokin Pete. The Dennis Ebert-trained 5-year-old came into that race off a four-length score in the Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap at Calder.

Miners Gamble carries the same 115-pound impost Sunday, as he starts from Post 4 with Eduardo Nunez again in the boot.
Jim Divito trains Smokin Pete, who also came from the clouds. The 4-year-old son of Tactical Advantage was last much of the way before his strong rally carried him into third place at 20-1.

Smokin Pete also stays at 115 pounds and will have Rene Douglas aboard again as he goes from Post 6.

Sea of Tranquility has 11 lifetime victories for trainer Richard Paulus and five of them have come at the six and a half-furlong distance. The 5-year-old horse by Heff scored twice at the distance least year racing at Turfway Park. In his most recent effort, Sea of Tranquility terrorized a stakes field at Tampa Bay Downs as the 3-2 favorite, drawing off to win by two lengths going seven furlongs.

Pat Day gets the call for the first time Sunday as Sea of Tranquility carries second highweight of 116 pounds from Post 7.

Canfield has come to life since hitting Hallandale. The 4-year-old son of Gilded Time managed just one win in 13 starts last year for Todd Pletcher, but has won his first two outings of the new season at Gulfstream, both under allowance conditions.

Canfield gets in at 112 pounds and John Velazquez will look for his third straight victory aboard the colt, who starts from the outside Post 8.

Fantastic Finish, trained by Elliott Walden, comes off a head victory over Fappie's Notebook in a non-winners of four other than allowance here on Jan. 7. The 5-year-old by Formal Dinner pressed or set the pace the entire seven furlongs, stopping the timer in a quick 1:22 4/5 after splits of :22 2/5 and :44 3/5.

Fantastic Finish, who carried 118 that day, gets 114 for Sunday's stake, with Robbie Davis riding from Post 2.

Manny Tortora trains Fappie's Notebook, who had three wins and two seconds in five starts last year. The 4-year-old Notebook colt was making his first start in more than five months when he met Fantastic Finish last out and should benefit from the trip. Jorge Chavez rides at 113 pounds from Post 3.

Silver Jet will be making his stakes debut for trainer Jim Bracken. The 4-year-old son of Silver Deputy worked through his conditions last year with four sprint wins, all at Calder. Eibar Coa returns in the saddle as Silver Jet carries 112 from the rail.

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