Dogwood Trail a solid favorite in Three Ring
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Unbridled and Three Ring both were Florida-breds who enjoyed easily their best seasons as 3-year-olds. Races in their honor will be renewed as part of the Florida Sire Stakes program Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where the principals would do well to ultimately achieve a fraction of the success as the races’ namesakes.
As the winner of the Grade 3 Azalea here last month, Dogwood Trail is the most accomplished in either seven-furlong race, and as such, she’ll be a solid favorite in the $150,000 Three Ring (race 8). Meanwhile, the $150,000 Unbridled (race 9) is a mishmash of mostly unproven colts and geldings, with Sing Praises the lone stakes winner among the field of 10.
KEY CONTENDERS
Three Ring (race 8)
Dogwood Trail (Last 3 Beyers: 92-83-68)
◗ Her 3-year-old debut in February portended a seemingly limitless season, but then she was somewhat disappointing in a couple of minor stakes before rebounding with big efforts in the June 6 Tangelo and her gate-to-wire score in the July 5 Azalea; clearly the filly to beat and might be an odds-on choice.
R Sassy Lass (Last 3 Beyers: 51-85-84)
◗ Races have been liberally spaced, and with Kirk Ziadie still having licensing issues, she makes her first start for Sally Mitchelhill; no denying her talent, so it’s a question of readiness as she returns from a nine-week layoff.
Unbridled (race 9)
Hear That Tune (Last 3 Beyers: 95-44-84)
◗ Might well fill the role of favorite in a wide-open race definitely lacking a clear-cut choice, having earned that big Beyer in a July 11 allowance last out; he’s one of three legitimate contenders in here for the Jacks or Better juggernaut, along with Sing Praises and Southern Barbecue.
Sing Praises (Last 3 Beyers: 64-71-72)
◗ No doubt he’s gotten the most done of all these – he won three ungraded stakes last year, including two legs of the Sire Stakes for juveniles – but what about going forward? He tired badly in his lone appearance in nine months when fifth of six in a minor sprint stakes here in June.
Wicked Rascal (Last 3 Beyers: 84-56-5)
◗ Gilbert Campbell homebred figures to be setting sail from his favorable outside post when trying to duplicate that nifty June 27 victory in the Gulfstream slop; his 3-for-4 record makes him a viable consideration.