Conquest Big E sharp in drill for Hal's Hope

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Conquest Big E, runner-up to Tommy Macho in the Jan. 27 Fred Hooper at Gulfstream, sharpened for his next start in the Grade 3, $100,000 Hal’s Hope when blowing out a half-mile here Friday in 47.81 seconds for trainer Donna Hurtak.

Leading jockey Luis Saez has picked up the mount on Conquest Big E for the one-mile Hal’s Hope, the richest of three stakes here next Saturday (Feb. 24). A pair of $75,000 turf sprints, the Texas Glitter and Melody of Colors, also will be featured.

◗ Lewis Bay and Curlin’s Approval are the likely favorites for the lone graded race here this weekend, the Grade 2, $200,000 Royal Delta on the Presidents Day card Monday.

Gulfstream racing officials were expecting at least seven fillies and mares as entries were being taken Friday for the one-mile Royal Delta, with Unbridled Mo and Verve’s Tale among the challengers.

◗ Eduardo Nunez snapped a dry spell Wednesday when booting home 16-1 shot Lisa Mila in the third race. Nunez, the all-time leading rider at Calder (now Gulfstream West), has drawn far fewer opportunities in recent times at age 51. His previous winner came here Dec. 21, a span of 24 mounts.

◗ Dan Bork, former racing secretary at Gulfstream, was back in familiar territory this week from his Kentucky home when recruiting horses for the Keeneland and Churchill Downs spring meets. Likewise, Turfway Park racing secretary Tyler Picklesimer was in the area to solicit nominations for the $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 17, formerly known as the Spiral Stakes.