By Monique Welch
First post is 1:15 pm for Thursday’s eight-race program at the Gulfstream Park West meet.
The dirt track is listed as fast and the turf course is listed as firm. Five races are scheduled for turf with the rail at 20 feet.
The eighth and feature race is one you do not want to miss. It is a $34,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles on turf for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. Scheduled post for the race is 4:58 p.m.
There are three horses to keep a close eye on: Truth, Deedeezee and Defying Gravity (photo on home page).
Truth is coming into the race off a fourth place finish in the $100,000 Riskaverse Stakes at one mile on turf at Saratoga on Aug. 25. In her previous race, she broke her maiden by winning at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga.
Deedeezee, trained by Todd Pletcher, finished second in a one-mile turf allowance at Gulfstream on Sept. 25.
And the real question is will the very experienced Defying Gravity, who is moving up from optional claiming races, come out with her seventh straight victory in what could be a tough race for her?
The field is down to eight, following the morning scratches of Marmalade and Bygone Days.
*Gulfstream Park is holding the GP West meet at Calder Casino.
The carryover for the Rainbow 6 is $1,998.46, on races three through eight.
In the first race, there will be a Super Hi-5 carryover of $2,595.65.
The Weather Channel forecast is for a mostly cloudy day with a twenty percent chance of rain.
For more updated information during the afternoon, be sure to refer to our blog.
Wednesday Results
Lu Lu Laura beat her stablemate Rashette by 3 1/2 lengths in Wednesday’s feature sixth race.
Kathleen O’Connell trains both 2-YO fillies, who ran as separate betting interests. With Tyler Gaffalione riding, Lu Lu Laura won in 1:12.23 for six furlongs on the track listed as fast.
Trainer Kathleen O’Connell
Celtic Moonlight finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Rashette.
Lu Lu Laura was the 8-5 favorite and Rashette was 9-1 in the six-horse field. The $2 exacta paid $47.20.
The win was the second for Lu Lu Laura in four career starts, but the race was the first time she crossed the finish line first.
On May 25 at Gulfstream, she made her debut and finished second 9 3/4 lengths behind Amapola.
Stewards placed Lu Lu Laura first after taking Amapola down for interference with other horses.
Lu Lu Laura is a daughter of Circular Quay. She was bred in Florida by Gilbert Campbell and is owned by Stonehedge Llc.
