Duke of Homberg, winner of the Hallandale Beach Stakes last month, returns to the Gulfstream Park turf to take on six rivals in the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 14.
The nine-furlong test for 3-year-olds will precede the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) on the 10-race program. Duke of Homberg will carry top weight of 120 pounds.
The son of Dynaformer—Woodlass, by Woodman was impressive when winning the 1 1/16-mile Hallandale Beach under Alan Garcia. Prior to that, he was fifth in the Dania Beach Stakes in his 2009 debut. Owned by Padua Stables, he began his career with two starts in France last year before shipping to the U.S. with trainer Tom Albertrani. Chris DeCarlo will ride the English-bred colt and break from post 4.
Dogwood Stable’s Lime Rickey and G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.’s El Crespo look like the main contenders to challenge the probable favorite.
Lime Rickey was a game second behind Duke of Homberg in the Hallandale Beach despite racing with trouble. Trained by Frank Alexander, the son of Lemon Drop Kid just missed in his previous start when second in the Dania Beach. Cornelio Velasquez will ride.
El Crespo goes back to turf after a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 31. Trained by Rusty Arnold, the homebred son of A.P. Indy broke his maiden over the Gulfstream course in his previous start Jan. 10. Javier Castellano picks up the mount.
Darley Stable’s Stormalory enters off a victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance contest at Gulfstream on Feb. 5. Rene Douglas will ride the son of Storm Cat for first time.
$150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. II, Race 9, 5:14 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds, 1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Sweetlandofliberty (FL), 114, Manoel R. Cruz
2. Stormalory (KY), 116, Rene R. Douglas
3. Casey's On Call (FL), 114, E. T. Baird
4. Lime Rickey (KY), 114, Cornelio H. Velasquez
5. Duke of Homberg (GB), 120, Christopher P. DeCarlo
6. Beacon Hill Road (KY), 116, Jose Lezcano
7. El Crespo (KY), 114, Javier Castellano