(Editor’s Note: Please click over to our blog this afternoon for coverage of today’s racing at Gulfstream Park and at Tampa Bay Downs.)
HorseracingFLA Staff Report
The season for graded stakes racing starts today at Gulfstream Park with the Rampart (Grade 3) at one mile on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.
The Rampart is the first of 37 graded stakes in the Gulfstream championship meet that will end on April 3. It is the third race, with scheduled post of 1:05 p.m.
The race has eight entrants. Marty Wolfson trains three of them, for different owners and as separate betting interests.
Trainer Marty Wolfson
They are Cali Star, Best Behavior and Curlin’s Princess. Best Behavior is the 5-2 morning line favorite.
Gulfstream has eleven races today with a first post of 12:05 p.m.
Five races are scheduled for turf, including two of the stakes.
As of 8:20 a.m. the dirt track was listed as fast and the turf course was listed as good.
There is no rain in the forecast, and that is welcome news for Gulfstream officials.
On Friday, Gulfstream moved all five of its turf-scheduled races to dirt to prevent added wear on the turf course and help it dry out following a seven-day stretch of rain.
Saturday’s turf stakes races are the South Beach and El Prado, both with $100,000 purses.
The South Beach is 7 ½ furlongs for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. The El Prado is 7 ½ furlongs for 3-years-old and up.
The $100,000 Harlan’s Holiday is 1 1/16 miles on dirt for 3-year-olds and up.
Gulfstream also has the $100,000 Harlan’s Holiday at 1 1/16 miles on dirt for 3-year-olds and up.
