Seven horses will line up Saturday for the 1 1/4-mile Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II). None of the entrants has ever won a race at 10 furlongs, so although the field is manageable, handicapping the race could be a challenge.
The 4-year-old Newfoundland has momentum and excellent breeding on his side. In his last start the son of
Storm Cat and Clear Mandate won the 8 1/2-furlong Skip Away Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream on March 13, which makes the him the race's only entrant who is coming off a stakes victory.
John Velazquez had the mount in the Skip Away, but since Velazquez will be at Keeneland this weekend, Jorge Chavez will be aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher. Newfoundland was a $3.3 million purchase as a yearling and initially raced in Europe for Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor. He is now owned by Sumaya Us Stable.
Pletcher will also send out Indy Dancer for the Gulfstream Park Handicap. Indy Dancer is a homebred son of
A.P. Indy racing for Wetheimer et Frere. In his last start, Indy Dancer finished third in an 8 1/2-furlong Gulfstream allowance. Velazquez is also the regular rider for this colt. Instead he will partner with Rafael Mojica Jr. on Saturday.
Florida-bred The Judge Sez Who has won or placed in nine added-money races in Florida, but never at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Milton Wolfson will attempt to change that as he his 5-year-old postward on Saturday. The Judge Sez Who has yet to win a race this year but he did finish third in the Barretts/CTBA Classic Stakes at Santa Anita in January.
The Gulfstream Park Handicap offers a purse of $300,000. The race is the ninth on Saturday's card.
The field from the rail out with jockey (weight), and trainer:
1--Indy Dancer, Rafael Mojica Jr. (112), Todd Pletcher
2--Gran Cesare, Brian Peck (112), Erik Juvonen
3--Jackpot, Joe Bravo (113), Shug McGaughey
4--Newfoundland, Jorge Chavez (116), Todd Pletcher
5--Seattle Fitz, Aaron Gryder (115), Kiaran McLaughlin
6--The Judge Sez Who, Gary Boulanger (113), Milton Wolfson
7--The Lady's Groom, Roberto Alvarado Jr.
