HorseRacingFLA Staff Report
Racing is back on the turf Friday at Calder, site of the Gulfstream Park West meet.
First post is 1:15 p.m. for the nine-race card.
For previews and ongoing coverage starting later this morning, please turn to our blog.
The dirt track is listed as fast and the turf course is listed as firm. The first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth races are scheduled for turf with the rail at 20 feet.
The Weather Channel forecast is for a zero percent chance of rain during racing hours in and around Miami Gardens where Calder is located.
On Thursday, rain forced meet sponsor Gulfstream Park to move all of the day’s five scheduled-for-turf races to the dirt track that was listed as sloppy.
Thursday Results
Deedeezee wrapped up a sloppy Thursday at the GP West meet with a gate to wire win in the eighth and featured race.
Deedeezee beat Image of Rachel by 3 1/2 lengths in the $34,000 allowance for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. Lobelia finished third, 7 1/2 lengths behind Image of Rachel.
The race was run at 1 1/16 miles on the sloppy and sealed dirt track after being switched from turf because of rain.
The 3-year-old Deedeezee won in 1:46.20, a fast time for the Calder track under the conditions, She was ridden by Edgard Zayas and is trained by Todd Pletcher who was not at Calder. Deedeezee was the 2-1 second choice in the field that was reduced to six horses due to scratches.
Truth, a three-year-old making her first turf start, is the even-money favorite. She finished last apparently having difficulty with the track.Defying Gravity was among the scratches. She would have ben seeking her sventh straight win, all on turf.
Deedeezee was among four Wednesday winners that led at every call. In general, horses that were on or near the early lead fared well on the eight-race-card.
