D. J. Stable’s British-bred Golden Ghost, using the momentum of back-to-back wins, will get the prospect to increase her streak when she makes the bounce to graded-stakes firm for Saturday’s $175,000 Sweetest Chant (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
The 29th operating of the 1 1/16-mile Sweetest Chant for fillies is joined by the Swale, the Forward Gal, & the Kitten’s Joy as 3-year-old stakes on Saturday’s undercard.
The 4 occasions assist a 12-race card anchored by the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Gulfstream Park’s subsequent cease on the street to the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 31.
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Golden Ghost Set to Make Graded Debut at Gulfstream Park in Sweetest Chant
Based with Hall of Fame coach Mark Casse at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite tv for pc coaching facility in Palm Beach County, Golden Ghost debuted final summer time within the 5 ½-furlong Astoria at Belmont Park, operating fourth.
She was then switched to the turf, the place she completed sixth and fifth in successive maiden occasions at Saratoga.
Golden Ghost graduated in a one-mile maiden particular weight Dec. 2 at Del Mar, drawing off to win by 1 ¾ lengths, then made a profitable transition to Gulfstream Park’s all-weather Tapeta course in an off-the-turf optionally available claiming allowance going 1 1/16 miles Jan. 12, getting a perfect stalking journey and approaching to win by a size as the favourite.
“She seems to be on the improve right now,” Casse’s assistant coach, Nick Tomlinson, mentioned. “Obviously we weren’t sure what to expect last time with the Tapeta but she handled it very well. We’re looking for her to go for a threepeat now, so hopefully everything works out and she gets there.”
By $5.7 million earner Medaglia d’Oro out of the Group 1-winning Le Havre mare Villa Marina, Golden Ghost fetched $500,000 as a Keeneland yearling in September 2022.
Tomlinson, who runs the Palm Meadows string, has been impressed along with her transformation from coaching to racing.
“It’s funny, she’s a completely different horse in the afternoon than she is in the morning. In the afternoon she’s completely relaxed and very professional. In the morning she can be a bit quirky,” he mentioned. “We’re very happy with how she handled everything last time out and hopefully she does the same thing in this race.”
Rated at 12-1 on the morning line, Golden Ghost drew outermost Post 8 and can retain the providers of Paco Lopez from her final begin.
The connections selected the short turnaround over coming again within the one-mile Herecomesthebride (G3) March 2.
“I think if we weren’t confident, we wouldn’t put her in here,” Tomlinson mentioned. “We weighed our options and we thought this was the best spot for her, going a mile and a sixteenth. We could have waited for the next one, but that’s going a mile so we thought this would suit her better.”
The 2-1 program favourite for the Sweetest Chant is Repole Stable’s Life’s an Audible.
By 2018 Holy Bull and Florida Derby winner Audible (additionally educated by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher), Life’s an Audible rallied from final after a half-mile to complete second from Post 10 within the one-mile Ginger Brew Jan. 6 on the Gulfstream Park turf.
“She really was coming at the end,” Pletcher mentioned. “She closed well from a difficult post. She just shows up and gives her ‘A’ effort every time. Hopefully with a little smoother trip she can get up in time.”
Life’s an Audible boke her maiden second outing final summer time at Saratoga in her first race on turf, then stepped up and was overwhelmed a half-length by subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) winner Hard to Justify within the 1 1/16-mile Miss Grillo (G2) at Aqueduct.
Fifth in the identical Breeders’ Cup race, Life’s an Audible drew the rail with Irad Ortiz Jr.
“We’ve always liked her,” Pletcher mentioned. “She kind of showed us early on that she took a liking to the turf, and she’s been versatile enough to run short and then stretch out. She’s a real sweet filly to be around and train. She’s very straightforward, and you have to admire her consistent effort every time.”
Qatar Racing’s Irish-bred Milliat stretches out round two turns for the primary time in simply her third begin and second in North America. A debut winner final September on the all-weather in Ireland, she got here from final to be second by a neck to Ozara within the 7 ½-furlong Wait a While Dec. 9 on the native turf.
“She gallops a mile and a quarter and handles them well, so distance shouldn’t be an issue,” coach Jack Sisterson mentioned. “In her works, her gallop outs are strong. She’s big-striding for sort of an average-sized filly so she should probably actually prefer the mile and a sixteenth.”
Irish jockey Oisin Murphy rides Milliat from Post 7.
Completing the sector are:
- Dynamic Pricing, winner of her lone begin final fall on the Aqueduct turf
- Last out native maiden winners Macanga and Style Points
- Madame Mischief, fourth within the Ginger Brew
- Pharoah’s Wine, runner-up within the 1 1/16-mile Jessamine (G2) on the Keeneland turf final October
Legalize Ventures to Gulfstream Park for Claiborne Farm Swale
Legalize will enterprise to Gulfstream Park in quest of his third straight victory and second stakes success in a row in Saturday’s $125,000 Claiborne Farm Swale, a seven-furlong dash.
Legalize is owned by Twin Brook Stables, Belladonna Racing LLC, Nice Guys Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, Iapetus Racing, S. Hornstock, Runnels Racing, Perrine Time Thoroughbreds, R T R Stables LLC, Peppermint Stables LLC and Manganaro Bloodstock.
Making his first southern Florida look, he has been ready for his 3-year-old debut by coach Cherie DeVaux at Fair Grounds.
“There are limited opportunities right now for a sprinter in his division. We wanted to stretch him out a little bit,” DeVaux mentioned. “It’s the next logical step in his form cycle.”
The son of Constitution graduated in front-running vogue Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs in his second profession begin earlier than capturing the six-furlong Sugar Bowl at Fair Grounds by 2 ½ lengths Dec. 23.
“He ran really well. He sat close to the early pace and kicked clear,” DeVaux mentioned. “He broke his maiden on the lead, so that showed that he can win and not be right on the pace.”
Legalized, who was bought for $500,000 on the 2022 OBS October sale, could or might not be stretched out round two turns sooner or later.
“Physically, he’s a slight horse, so we’ll just have to see,” DeVaux mentioned. “If he runs well and acts like he can handle more distance, that’s the next logical step to take.”
Luis Saez has the return name on Legalize.
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Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Three Chimneys Farm’s Risk It additionally ventures from Fair Grounds for a begin within the Swale after ending fifth within the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner Dec. 23.
The Steve Asmussen-trained son of Gun Runner, who completed fourth within the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs, cuts again to 1 flip for the Swale.
Risk It launched his profession with a 4 ½-length victory at six-furlongs at Saratoga earlier than ending second within the one-turn mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard Risk It for his first three begins, returns for the Swale.
Kaleem Shah Inc.’s Billal may also return to 1 flip within the Swale following a tiring eighth within the 1 1/8-mile Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the son of Street Sense broke his maiden in his second profession begin at seven furlongs earlier than ending third within the one-turn mile Nashua at Aqueduct.
Junior Alvarado has the return name.
CTR Stables LLC and Lady Sheila Stable’s Colorado Cruiser is scheduled to make his first begin for coach Jack Sisterson within the Swale.
The son of Catalina Cruiser has began 4 occasions in Southern California, the place he broke his maiden at six furlongs final outing at Santa Anita Dec. 26.
Oisin Murphy will experience Colorado Cruiser for the primary time.
Granpollo Stable’s Gran Mo the First is scheduled to make his first begin on dust within the Swale.
The Victor Barboza Jr.-trained son of Uncle Mo gained his first two begins at Gulfstream Park on Tapeta earlier than ending third within the Zuma Beach (G3) on turf at Santa Anita Oct. 8.
Paco Lopez will experience Gran Mo the First for the primary time Saturday.
Following the introduced withdrawal of the rail-drawn Bentornato, the shortened area of eight is accomplished by:
- Screen Door Stables LLC’s Squints, who gained the Nov. 12 Juvenile for Florida-breds final outing
- Vicente Stella Stables LLC’s Le Dom Bro, who completed off the board final outing within the Remsen
- D and O Stables LLC’s Frankie’s Empire, a winner of three of six profession begins
R Harper Rose Cuts Back at Gulfstream Park for Forward Gal
Averill Racing and Two Eight Racing’s R Harper Rose, knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten in her most recent begin, cuts again to 1 flip in an try to regain her successful type in Saturday’s $125,000 Forward Gal (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
R Harper Rose will make her sophomore debut two months after operating second as the favourite within the 1 1/16-mile My Dear Girl, the finale of the Florida Stallion Series of stakes for juvenile fillies, Dec. 2 at Gulfstream.
Trained by Championship Meet chief Saffie Joseph Jr., the bay daughter of Khozan set the tempo within the My Dear Girl earlier than yielding the lead getting into the stretch however was a decisive second behind Honey Dijon, greater than seven lengths forward of Haunted in third.
“It was her first time going that far and it was the last leg of the stallion stakes, so you had to give it a go,” Joseph mentioned. “She had gotten sick in between, so she didn’t come into it with the ideal preparation. But we went ahead and gave it a go and she was just second-best on the day. Now we cut her back to what we think will be her best thing going one turn.”
R Harper Rose made her first two begins right here final summer time and fall, going 5 ½ furlongs earlier than stretching out to seven-eighths for the FSS Susan’s Girl Oct. 21
She gained by a mixed 16 lengths, all beneath jockey Edgard Zayas, who returns to experience from Post 4 in a area of seven because the 2-1 second selection on the morning line.
“She’s just a very fast filly. Speed’s her game, but she can also rate a little bit if she needs to. This race we feel like we have her going in the right way, so hopefully she’ll bring her ‘A’ game. She’ll need it,” Joseph mentioned. “She’s had a good preparation going into this race. Cutting back in distance should help her, too. So far everything’s been good to order, so we’re happy with her.”
Repole Stable’s Scalable returns to stakes firm following a preferred six-length maiden particular weight triumph going one mile Jan. 4 at Gulfstream Park.
The daughter of late champion sprinter Speightstown debuted final September at Saratoga then was despatched to Santa Anita for back-to-back races, operating second within the Chandelier (G2) and fifth within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), each at 1 1/16 miles.
“We spotted her pretty ambitiously still being a maiden and running in the Grade 2 at Santa Antia and coming back in the Breeders’ Cup, so we wanted to put her back with maidens” for her final race, Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher mentioned. “She ran the way that she was supposed to.”
The 9-5 program favourite, Scalable can have the providers of jockey Jose Ortiz for the third straight race, breaking from Post 6.
“I think she’s versatile enough. She’s a filly that can go longer and can handle two turns, but cutting back to seven-eighths is probably OK, too. We just felt like this is an opportunity for her to take a shot at winning a graded-stake,” Pletcher mentioned. “She’s very professional. She’s been a pleasure to train. She’s just a filly that likes what she does and goes out every day and takes care of her business.”
Gary Barber’s Witwatersrand, rated at 9-2 on the morning line drew outermost Post 7 beneath Paco Lopez as she tries dust for the primary time in her sophomore debut.
The Connect filly raced 3 times at 2, all on Woodbine’s all-weather floor, successful the 1 1/16-mile Mazarine (G3) Nov. 4.
Witwatersrand, whose identify means ‘white water ridge’ in Afrikaans, gained her debut and was third within the seven-furlong Glorious Song, each as the favourite.
Also entered:
- Chi Chi, a 6 ½-furlong stakes winner at each Remington Park and Gulfstream that ran fifth within the one-mile Cash Run Jan. 1
- Fiona’s Magic, using a two-race win streak
- Kissedbyanangel, winner of the 2023 Maryland Juvenile Filly at Laurel Park who was third within the six-furlong Glitter Woman Jan. 7
- Nikitis, a last-out maiden winner Dec. 1 at Aqueduct
Stakes Winners Agate Road, Noted Top $175,000 Kitten’s Joy
Grade 2 winner Agate Road and his a number of stakes-winning stablemate Noted give Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher a robust hand in Saturday’s $175,000 Kitten’s Joy on the Gulfstream Park turf.
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Agate Road was overwhelmed 1 ½ lengths as the favourite in his season opener, the one-mile Dania Beach Jan. 6 at Gulfstream.
Away at 2/5, his probabilities have been compromised when pacesetter Tocayo was left alone on a simple lead and kicked away late. Tocayo additionally returns within the Kitten’s Joy.
“Unfortunately, we just got a little too far behind early on,” Pletcher mentioned of the Dania Beach. “The fractions never really developed; it was kind of a slow pace up front. I thought he closed really well, but just simply had too much to do to close into those slow fractions. I thought he showed up and ran hard like he always does.”
After two straight tries at one mile, together with operating fifth by 2 ½ lengths within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), Agate Road returns to a distance the place he’s two-for-two, together with a preferred 1 ¼-length conquer Fulmineo in final fall’s Pilgrim (G2) at Aqueduct.
“I believe more distance is definitely better for him,” Pletcher mentioned. “He doesn’t have a lot of early speed and has a good closing kick, but he can be compromised in slow-pace scenarios like he was last time. That’s his running style. We can’t change it; we’ve just got to hope for a little better setup.”
Jose Ortiz rides Agate Road from Post 4.
Repole Stable’s Noted drew outermost Post 9 beneath Irad Ortiz Jr. for his 3-year-old season opener.
The grey or roan son of 2014 Holy Bull winner Cairo Prince overcame a troubled begin to rally for a neck victory within the 7 ½-furlong Pulpit Dec. 9 at Gulfstream, his return to the turf after ending ninth behind one other stablemate, 2023 2-year-old male champion Fierceness, within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
“He really came running at the end,” Pletcher mentioned. “He was kind of bottled up at the start and it looked like he didn’t have anywhere to go, and once he finally got into the clear he showed a great turn of foot and closed a lot of ground in a short period of time.”
Noted broke his maiden going 1 1/16 miles on the Saratoga turf final summer time and gained the one-mile Sapling on Monmouth Park’s principal observe in his subsequent begin.
He went again to the grass for the 1 1/16-mile Bourbon (G2) at Keeneland, developing a nostril quick in his Breeders’ Cup prep.
“He ran a big race that day, just was on the wrong side of a head bob. It was a terrific effort,” Pletcher mentioned. “He’s going to come from a little bit off of it so he, too, would benefit from a strong early pace. He might be capable of laying a little closer if needed.”
Lugamo Racing Stable’s Tocayo has two wins and a second in 4 tries since being switched to the turf final fall at Laurel Park by earlier coach Rudy Sanchez-Salomon.
He set career-high pace figures in his Dania Beach win, one begin after encountering hassle and operating eighth, 4 lengths behind Noted, within the Pulpit.
Qatar Racing and Hunter Valley Farm’s First World War returns to the grass after operating second in back-to-back dust begins, most just lately overwhelmed a half-length by Holy Bull-bound Otello within the one-mile Mucho Macho Man Jan. 1 at Gulfstream.
The War Front colt broke his maiden going one mile at Kentucky Downs final fall and went off because the Bourbon favourite, ending fourth by lower than two lengths.
Freedom Principle is entered to make his first begin since Nov. 4 and first on the grass after racing 4 occasions at a mile and 70 yards over Gulfstream’s all-weather Tapeta course final 12 months.
The Jose Garoffalo trainee is chasing a 3rd straight win and second in a stakes following his 1 ¼-length triumph within the Armed Forces final outing.
D. J. Stable’s Deadpan shall be making his fifth begin and first over the identical racetrack after rallying from final to be third, overwhelmed 1 ½ lengths, in a 1 1/16-mile optionally available claimer Jan. 13 at Gulfstream.
It marked a return to the East Coast following a sixth-place end in his stakes debut, the one-mile Cecil B. DeMille (G3) Dec. 3 at Del Mar.
“We were very encouraged from his last run,” mentioned Nick Tomlinson, assistant to Hall of Fame coach Mark Casse. “We’re looking for him to make a move forward. It is a bit quick back for our liking, but we weighed our options and we thought this was the best thing for him.”
Deadpan debuted final summer time at Colonial Downs, operating third after setting the tempo, graduating by a neck in his subsequent begin at Keeneland, each going 1 1/16 miles.
“I had him at Colonial and I was really high on him first time out. He got a little bit tired toward the end,” Tomlinson mentioned. “You can breeze them all you want in the morning but sometimes they’re going to need a race in the afternoon, especially going a mile and a sixteenth.”
Deadpan drew Post 5 beneath his fifth completely different rider, Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who replaces Jose Ortiz, up for his most recent begin.
“His last run we were kind of surprised that he was so far back. Jose actually breezed him the week before up at Palm Meadows, so he came in with a ton of confidence [and] he closed really well,” Tomlinson mentioned. “I think he can be a bit closer. We just kind of let him do his thing last time, but we’ll see what happens. Johnny’s a very accomplished jockey so we’ll leave it in his hands.”
Completing the sector are:
- Hammerstein, a final out maiden winner on the Gulfstream Park turf Dec. 23 for red-hot coach Brian Lynch
- Edgartown, fourth within the Dania Beach
- Quokka, most just lately a troubled eighth within the Central Park at Aqueduct
