1/26/2009

BIG WEEKEND AHEAD AT GULFSTREAM

A big weekend of racing at Gulfstream Park kicks off Friday with a pair of three-year-old sprints. The $150,000 Hutcheson S. (G2) over seven furlongs will garner the most attention as it has been the traditional springboard to the track's main Kentucky Derby (G1) preps -- the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and the Florida Derby (G1). Though it had to compete for horses with the nine-furlong Holy Bull S. (G3) the following day, the Hutcheson has attracted a quality field of seven.

The John Kimmel-trained BREAK WATER EDISON (Lemon Drop Kid), who rebounded from modest finishes in the Hopeful S. (G1) and Champagne S. (G1) to take the Nashua S. (G3) at Aqueduct in his juvenile finale, is one of the more highly regarded Derby candidates prepping in Florida this winter. A debut winner and runner-up in the Saratoga Special S. (G2) in his first two starts, the bay pressed a fast pace and retreated in the Hopeful, then endured a wide journey when badly beaten in the Champagne. Break Water Edison broke from the rail in both contests, but drew a more advantageous post in the one-mile Nashua and drew off to a 1 3/4-length score, which earned him a 105 BRIS Speed rating.

For the Hutcheson, Break Water Edison will have to overcome another rail draw, but will again have the services of Alan Garcia, who has ridden the colt to both of his career wins.

HELLO BROADWAY (Broken Vow), who rallied to finish second in the Nashua by a neck, will also make his sophomore debut Friday. The Barclay Tagg charge was a Saratoga debut winner in late August, then was an even fifth in the Champagne after an early bump. Owner Elizabeth Valando, along with her late husband, Tommy, campaigned 1991 Hutcheson winner Fly So Free, their juvenile champion from the previous year.

Like Hello Broadway, CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (Candy Ride [Arg]) won at first asking at Saratoga. The Ian Wilkes-conditioned colt eventually made his way to Kentucky, winning the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs by a comfortable three lengths, but coughed up a significant lead in his next start in the two-turn Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2). Despite being rank early, the gelding fought to the wire only to miss by a half-length.

The Hutcheson field is completed by SALO JAK (Graeme Hall), a winner of three straight including the Jack Price Juvenile at Calder two back; ROCKETING RETURNS (Gone West), a Calder allowance winner for Nick Zito; Z DAY (Five Star Day), an Aqueduct maiden winner last out; and minor stakes winner BEE CEE CEE (Songandaprayer), a distant third in the Spectacular Bid S. earlier this month.

Separated by two noses at the finish of the January 4 Old Hat S. (G3), three-year-old fillies GEMSWICK PARK (Speightstown) and FROLIC'S DREAM (Smoke Glacken), the respective first- and third-place finishers in the race, will renew their rivalry in the $150,000 Forward Gal S. (G2), also over seven-eighths. Gemswick Park, who placed in the Frizette S. (G1) and Tempted S. (G3), and Frolic's Dream, who incurred her first defeat in the Old Hat in four outings, will be joined by Grade 3 vixen C. S. SILK (Medaglia d'Oro), who concluded her juvenile campaign with a second in the Delta Princess S. (G3) at Delta Downs.

Other notables among the field of seven are multiple stakes winner RENDA (Medaglia d'Oro), who faltered to 10th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in her grass debut, and DR. ZIC (Milwaukee Brew), who remained perfect in two starts with a wire-to-wire score in the Sandpiper S. at Tampa Bay Downs on December 27.

Friday's program serves as a prelude to blockbuster weekend cards. In addition to the Holy Bull, Gulfstream on Saturday will host its premier race for older horses, the Donn H. (G1) at nine furlongs. Sunday's main attraction is the Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1) over 1 1/8 miles, with the Suwannee River H. (G3) for fillies and mares going nine furlongs on turf as the supporting feature.

In brief

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This article was originally published on brisnet.com