A dozen promising 3-year-olds will line up for the $150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. II) at seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park, a race won last year by California invader Lost in the Fog.
George Bolton, Joan Corrigan, and Antony Beck's Noonmark and Kinsman Stable's Beacon Shine will be among the favorites in a wide-open field.
Shaun Bridgmohan rides Noonmark, a lightly raced son of
Unbridled's Song who looked sharp winning a six-furlong allowance at Gulfstream on Feb. 11 by two lengths in his season debut for trainer Steve Asmussen. The $275,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling purchase ran twice last year at Belmont, breaking his maiden by 10 ΒΌ lengths in his second start.
Beacon Shine, to be partnered by Jeremey Rose, showed potential last year in three starts for trainer Bill Mott, including a photo decision in the Flash Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park on June 10.
The son of
Montbrook returned this year with trainer Nick Zito. However, the talented colt got off to a rocky start when dumping his rider leaving the gate in a Feb. 9 allowance race. Beacon Shine ran well enough with the field to get something out of the effort, Zito said, encouraging him to try the Swale.
Stakes winners In Summation and Catcominatcha bring the most seasoning to the field.
$150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. II, Race 7, 3:56 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds, 7 FurlongsPP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Catcominatcha (KY), 116, Rafael Bejarano
2. Noonmark (KY), 116, Shaun Bridgmohan
3. Bear Character (KY), 118, James McAleney
4. Praying for Cash (FL), 116, Edgar S. Prado
5. Showing Up (KY), 116, Javier Castellano
6. Yes He's the Man (FL), 116, Eddie Castro
7. Court Folly (KY), 116, Christopher P. DeCarlo
8. Beacon Shine (FL), 118, Jeremy Rose
9. City Attraction (KY), 116, Cornelio H. Velasquez
10. Electrify (FL), 120, Rene R. Douglas
11. Sharp Humor (NY), 118, Mark Guidry
12. In Summation (FL), 120, Manoel R. Cruz
