Golden Emperor tries to keep rolling in Wednesday sprint
Golden Emperor will try to extend his winning streak to four as the likely favorite in a $25,000 starter optional-claiming race that kicks off Wednesday’s eight-race card at Gulfstream Park. The five-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds and up has eight horses entered in the main body of the race. Dreaming of Neno will join the fray if the race gets moved to the main track.
A 5-year-old Pennsylvania-bred, Golden Emperor has blossomed since moving to trainer Michael Rogers’s barn. Beginning with a six-length romp on Tapeta at Presque Isle Down last May 26, Golden Emperor has won five of his six starts for Rogers. In his only loss since switching barns, he was sent off at 4-5 in a first-level allowance race at Presque Isle but lost any chance when he broke in the air.
Golden Emperor has been perfect since he found his niche sprinting on turf at Gulfstream this year. Following his loss as the heavy favorite last July 1, Rogers gave Golden Emperor the rest of the year off. He paid $32 when he returned to win a $20,000 claiming race going five furlongs on the grass here Feb. 16 and repeated at 6.30-1 in a $25,000 optional-claiming race March 12. In his latest win, he stalked the pace before edging Grade 3 sprint winner Speechify in a $62,500 optional claimer April 16. Once again, especially considering his two previous races, he paid a decent price at $9.40.
In all three of Golden Emperor’s wins this year he was ridden by Gabriel Saez. Rafael Hernandez picks up the mound and will likely put him into a stalking position after he leaves from post 3.
One of the horses Golden Emperor will be stalking is Hold On Smokey, who drew the rail and looks like the main threat. In his last start, he lost by a nose after chasing the winner, Determinato, in a $32,000 optional-claiming race at Tampa Bay March 25.
Hold On Smokey, a 10-year-old Florida-bred, has used his good speed to win 19 races while earning $429,057. He is trained and owned by Joyce Kielty.
KEY CONTENDERS
Golden Emperor (Last 3 Beyers: 87-89-87)
◗ He’s versatile, full of confidence, and is unbeaten in three starts going five furlongs on turf.
Hold On Smokey (Last 3 Beyers: 88-88-86)
◗ He drew the perfect post for a horse with his kind of speed. With a 14-11-8 record from 41 starts at the distance, he should be part of any exotics ticket.