By Jim Freer
Sunday, May 3 — Little Alexis and Best Behavior head a seven-horse field for today’s $60,000 Sunrise Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The Sunrise is 6 ½ furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up. It is the eighth race with scheduled post time of 4:30 p.m.
The nine-race card has a first post of 1:00 p.m.
Little Alexis, trained by Carlo Vaccarezza, and Best Behavior , trained by Marty Wolfson, will both be seeking their second career stakes wins.
Little Alexis, a 4-year-old, has won two of six starts. After winning her debut she won the Cash Run at 6 ½ furlongs at Gulfstream last July 5.
She has since run exclusively in stakes, including a strong third place finish in the Test (Grade 1) at Saratoga last Aug. 2.
In her latest start, on April 4, she finished second to the highly regarded R Free Roll in the six-furlong Orange Blossom at Gulfstream.
Eddie Castro will ride Little Alexis in the Sunrise.
Vaccarezza also trains Little Tami, a 4-year-old who will be making her stakes debut.
Both fillies are owned by Little Dreams Racing, of which Vaccarezza is managing partner. They will race as separate betting interests.
Best Behavior, owned by Miller Racing, won the one-mile Golden Slipper last Dec. 6 on the Claiming Crown program at Gulfstream.
The 5-year-old Best Behavior has the one post. A key to the race could be whether she can get a clean break under Daniel Centeno.
Best Behavior has a history of seeking the lead, and so have fellow Sunrise entrants Joann’s Wildcat and Horsin’ Around.
A fast pace could help the chances of closer Little Alexis.
Saturday’s Stakes
Rizwan and Red Sashay won yesterday’s turf stakes races for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream.
Rizwan battled Comanche’s Storm in a stretch duel to win by a neck in the $75,000 English Channel for males. The race was the stakes debut for Rizwan and his fourth victory in five starts this year. All of those wins were on turf at Gulfstream.
Jose Caraballo rode Rizwan, the fourth betting choice at 6-1. They won the 1 1/16 mile race in the good time of 1:40.46 on a course listed as firm. As South Florida nears rue end of its dry season, Gulfstream’s turf course has produced numerous fast times.
Phil Gleaves trains Rizwan, who is owned by Vegso Racing Stable.
Persuasive finished third. Moon Over Cuzco, the 4-5 favorite, finished fifth in the eight-horse field.
Red Sashay held off a late rally from Miss Margaret and won by a neck in the $75,000 Honey Ryder at one mile for fillies.
Red Sashay was the fourth betting choice at 8-1. She was ridden by Jonathan Gonzales and won in 1:37.16. She is owned by Goodwood Racing V and trained by Jane Cibelli.
Lismore finished third. Sivoliere, the 3-5 favorite, finished last in the seven-horse field.