Bahamian Squall ends drought with allowance win

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Bahamian Squall, the sixth-place finisher in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, won Thursday’s allowance feature at Gulfstream Park to register his first victory of the year and first since he captured the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder 15 months earlier.

With Ramsey Zimmerman aboard, Bahamian Squall disputed the early pace, edged well clear in early stretch, then withstood a late rally from Purple Egg to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Bahamian Squall, who is trained by David Fawkes for owner-breeder Donald Dizney, completed seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:21.47. He paid $3.40.

Bahamian Squall, a 5-year-old son of Gone West, had been winless in three previous starts this season. He ran third in the Housebuster at Gulfstream in July, seventh in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga Aug. 2, and third over a muddy Saratoga track in the Tale of the Cat last out on Aug. 22.

“He’s been training real well,” said Fawkes. “He always needs his first race back. Then he went to New York in a Grade 1, and it was a tough race. [For the Tale of the Cat] it poured rain and he just does not like a wet track. So he had excuses for all three of his previous starts this year. This was a perfect condition and an easy race for him, even though they ran really fast.”

Fawkes said he has not ruled out a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

“At this point I don’t think we’re going, but I haven’t talked to Mr. Dizney either,” said Fawkes. “I’ve thought about it, and he was pretty impressive today, but most likely we’ll look for something easier, like the Kenny Noe.”

The $75,000 Kenny Noe will be run at Gulfstream Park West at six furlongs on Nov. 15.