Dynaslew in sweet spot to start 2011 at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Dynaslew held her own with some of the best of her division in 2010. She will begin her 2011 campaign in a much easier spot when she meets a field restricted to just Florida- and California-breds in Saturday’s $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.

Dynaslew won a pair of graded stakes, the Ballston Spa Handicap (Grade 2) and Beaugay (Grade 3) last season for owner Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Planation and trainer Seth Benzel. She also finished second behind Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare champ Shared Account in the Grade 3 All Along, fourth, beaten a neck by Proviso in the Grade 1 Diana, and was sixth in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland.

“We had to regroup with her after the First Lady,” said Benzel. “We sent her to Live Oak, where she had some down time, and when she came back to me from the farm she looked great – exactly like she did all summer – and ever since she’s been working consistently and is ready to go.”

Benzel said he’s not at all concerned about the fact Dynaslew has not started in nearly four months coming into the 1 1/8-mile Filly and Mare Turf.

“We thought all along this was a good race to target, considering the horses she’d run against last year and the fact this was a restricted race, and on paper it sure looks like she fits very well,” said Benzel. “She runs well fresh and ran a nice number here last year off the layoff. The outside draw” – the 9 spot – “is also key for her, because we want to keep her running free and clear, and by being outside she can let the race come to her.”

The Filly and Mare Turf drew an overflow of 14 entries plus one also-eligible. Bran Jammas is the lone California-bred in the lineup.

Askbut I Won’ttell, who closed out her 2010 campaign with victories in the Grade 3 Cardinal and My Charmer handicaps, will likely be the second choice for trainer Chris Block. Askbut I Won’ttell won 4 of 10 races overall last season.

Scolara chased home Dynaslew on two occasions a year ago, finishing second in the Beaugay and fifth in the Ballston Spa. Scolara ran fifth trying the main track in the 2010 Sunshine Millions Distaff.

Trip for A. J. ran one of the best races of her outstanding 3-year-old campaign when she was second to Askbut I Won’ttell, beaten less than a length, in the My Charmer after setting a contested pace. Trip for A.J. won half of her dozen starts last year, including three stakes, all at Calder.

Other top contenders in the field include Unbridled Essence, upset winner last summer of Monmouth Park’s Grade 3 Matchmaker; the Grade 2 placed Wild Mia; the Louisiana based multiple stakes winner Category Seven; and the speedy Speak Easy Gal, who could set the pace breaking from the rail.