Bonnie Miss Draws Seven on Gulf's Closing Day

Gulfstream Park will close out the 2001 season Friday, featuring an 11-race card that includes three stakes, including the $200,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes, and the return of last year's Florida Derby (gr. I) winner.

Top offering on the 63rd day of racing is the $250,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes (gr. II) that drew a field of seven 3-year-old fillies to run 1 1/8 miles. The Bonnie Miss goes as the ninth race. The $65,000 Dame Mysterieuse Stakes, to be run as the fifth event, marks the return of the grade I-winning Raging Fever. The $65,000 Yankee Affair Stakes goes as the 10th event and drew a full field to go five furlongs on turf.

Hal's Hope, winner of last year's Florida Derby, makes his 2001 debut in the seventh, an optional claiming/allowance event at 1 1/16.

Unbridled Lassie, unbeaten in two career starts at Gulfstream, is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the Bonnie Miss. Trainer Neil Howard trains the daughter of Unbridled, who won her debut here Jan. 21 by a neck, then came back on Feb. 11 to score by 3 1/2 lengths going 1 1/16 miles. Pat Day, who has been aboard in both wins, has the ride again.

The John Kimmel-trained Indy Glory is second choice, following her half-length score here Feb. 25. The daughter of A.P. Indy was impressive in that 2001 debut, overcoming a poor start to gain the victory. Richard Migliore rides again.

Happily Unbridled, another daughter of Unbridled, goes from the rail as she seeks her fourth straight victory. The Happy Alter-trained filly broke her maiden at Calder in November, then won an allowance there in December. In her seasonal debut here Jan. 13, Happily Unbridled drew off to win by nearly seven lengths. Julio Garcia has the call again.

Ralph Ziadie sends out Halo Reality, who comes off a fourth in the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) here Feb. 25, when she finished two lengths behind Latour. Last year, the Prospector's Halo filly won twice at Calder going 1 1/16 miles. Rene Douglas will be in the boot.

Carl Nafzger sends out Lasting Sensation for her first try around two turns. The daughter of Dehere won here last out going 6 1/2 furlongs. Robbie Davis has the call as they break from the outside post.

Bonnie Miss Stakes (gr. II)

3-year-old fillies, 1 1/8 miles

Post Horse Weight Rider

1 Happily Unbridled 114 Julio Garcia

2 Halo Reality 117 Rene Douglas

3 Indy Glory 114 Richard Migliore

4 Unbridled Lassie 114 Pat Day

5 Tap Dance 112 Jerry Bailey

6 Serene Ditty 114 John Velazquez

7 Lasting Sensation 114 Robbie Davis