Becker not just snowbirding at Gulfstream

Scott Becker is stabled in Florida for the first time this winter, having bedded down 10 horses at Gulfstream. A 50-year-old native of southern Illinois and a perennial top-five trainer in Chicago in recent years, Becker trains primarily for Bill Stiritz, the retired chief executive of Ralston-Purina.

Becker told Gulfstream publicity recently that Stiritz has invested heavily in Florida-breds, and he intends to have an increasing presence on this circuit.

“It’s nice to have some year-round racing in one spot,” said Becker, who had two wins from six starts at the Gulfstream West meet.

Three allowances on tap

An 11-race Sunday card will bring an end to another five-day race week, and it is anchored by a trio of allowances (races 3, 5, 10). First post is noon Eastern.

One of the more intriguing runners among those co-features is Federal Case, a debut winner at Keeneland in October. The Gemologist colt has been turned over to Todd Pletcher and figures to be a huge favorite going a one-turn mile against just four other 2-year-olds in race 3.

Six turf stakes Saturday

Gulfstream will end its 2018 stakes schedule with six turf races next Saturday (Dec. 29), with the two-mile Allen Jerkens foremost among them.

The Jerkens offers a purse of $100,000, as do a pair of turf sprints, the Abundantia and Janus. The other three stakes carry $75,000 purses: the Tropical Park Derby for 3-year-olds and Tropical Park Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, and the Via Borghese for fillies and mares. Entries will be drawn Wednesday.

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