Barboza runners strong in both stakes
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Beth’s Dream boasts a 5-for-10 record and on Sunday the stakes winner will attempt to improve her résumé when she makes her first start on a synthetic track in the $65,000 Ginger Punch at Gulfstream Park.
The mile and 70-yard race is for Florida-bred fillies and mares. It shares a card with its counterpart for males, the $65,000 Soldier’s Dancer.
Beth’s Dream has registered all of her wins on dirt. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. is hopeful the daughter of the Curlin stallion Jess’s Dream will take to Tapeta.
“The stallion is good for the turf, good for the dirt, good for synthetic,” Barboza said. “I think she’ll be good. I’ve galloped her on the Tapeta and she’s happy. I don’t think it will be a problem.”
Barboza also believes Beth’s Dream, whose wins to date have all come at one turn, can conquer two turns Sunday. He noted she has placed in two stakes at the configuration and that her seventh-place finish in another stakes came against Grade 1 winner Search Results.
“To me, I don’t think it will be a problem for the mare,” he said.
Beth’s Dream has won her last two starts, taking a Gulfstream allowance at a mile in March and the $100,000 Heavenly Prize at the same distance at Laurel Park in April. She will break from the rail under Emisael Jaramillo.
Barboza also sends out Battle Cry, who is proven on a synthetic track, as part of the seven-horse field.
“She’s only made one start on the Tapeta and won the race,” Barboza said.
Battle Cry is moving back to two turns, where she is a multiple winner. Miguel Vasquez has the mount from post 6.
The Soldier’s Dancer drew a field of eight, and Barboza will saddle a leading contender in Cashier Check. He is coming off a runner-up finish in a $20,000 starter allowance on turf at Gulfstream. Prior to that start, he finished third in the $100,000 Turf Classic in March at Tampa Bay Downs.
Gulfstream leading rider Leonel Reyes has the mount from post 5.
“Cashier Check is a very consistent horse,” Barboza said. “Every time, he’s one-two-three. The horse is in very good condition, he’s got a good position in the gate, and his jockey is the leader now.
“I like the horse in the race. If the pace is fast, I think the horse will finish very good.”
Barboza noted that Cashier Check has a strong record over Tapeta at Gulfstream. He’s finished first, second, or third in nine of his 10 starts on the surface.
Me and Mr. C, who also is a winner over the local Tapeta, will get good support off a third-place finish against open company in the $100,000 Mr. Steele last month at Gulfstream. Edgard Zayas has the mount from the rail for trainer Mike Maker.
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