The Gulfstream Park spring/summer meet starting April 11 will feature a robust 2-year-old program highlighted by the $1.4 million Florida Sire Stakes series.
The first 2-year-old races of the meet are scheduled for Friday, April 18. The Florida Sire Stakes is set to begin Aug. 9
This will be the first year Gulfstream hosts the Florida Sire Stakes, a program of six races for the offspring of Florida nominated stallions. It was formerly known as the Florida Stallion Stakes when previoulsy hosted by Calder Casino & Race Course.
Maiden allowance races for 2-year-olds will have a base purse of $36,000 but the total purse could rise to $48,000 with Florida Owners' Awards ($7,000) and Florida Sire Stakes eligibility ($5,000), Gulfstream said in a release issued April 4.
P. J. Campo, Gulfstream's vice president of racing, said he is excited about this year's 2-year-old program and is optimistic about its potential in coming years.
"This is a first for us, but if we're going to have the Sire Stakes or any type of stakes program for 2-year-olds we need to start breaking maidens in April," Campo said. "I personally think without a good 2-year-old program you can't move forward. So, hopefully, we can have Gulfstream running consecutively through the spring and summer and just build on winners and maidens and grow from there."
The Florida Sire Stakes schedule is as follows:
Aug. 9 $100,000 Dr. Fager (colts) 6 furlongs
$100,000 Desert Vixen (fillies) 6 furlongs
Sept. 6 $250,000 Affirmed (colts) 7 furlongs
$250,000 Susan's Girl (fillies) 7 furlongs
Oct. 4 $350,000 In Reality (colts) 1 1/16 miles
$350,000 My Dear Girl (fillies) 1 1/16 miles
