Golden Rifle gets up late to win Eight Miles East

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Golden Rifle finally got the better of the front-running Joes Blazing Aaron when pushing past for a one-length victory Saturday in the $75,000 Eight Miles East on the Florida Sire Stakes undercard at Gulfstream Park.

With Tyler Gaffalione riding for trainer Marty Wolfson, Golden Rifle sat a clear second in the 1 1/16-mile turf race before taking the lead with about 100 yards remaining. Joes Blazing Aaron held second in a field of seven 3-year-olds and up, with My Point Exactly up for third.

Golden Rifle returned $16 after finishing in 1:42.86 over firm going. The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred horse now has won three times in seven starts since being claimed by Miller Racing for $25,000 here in December.

Catalina Red wins Jackson Bend off layoff

Catalina Red ($5), trained to the minute by Chad Stewart, proved clearly best as the favorite in the stakes opener, the $75,000 Jackson Bend.

With Daniel Centeno keeping him just off the pace and tilted toward the outside, Catalina Red looped to the lead after turning for home en route to a 2 1/4-length score over seven other 3-year-old Florida-breds, finishing seven furlongs in 1:22.88.

Owned by Anthony Lenci, Catalina Red was making his first start in more than six months. The chestnut Munnings colt now has won three stakes from seven overall starts, having accounted for the ungraded Inaugural and Pasco stakes last December at Tampa Bay Downs.

Lori's Store wins second straight in Soaring Softly

Lori’s Store ($10.40) surged to her second straight ungraded turf-stakes victory at Gulfstream, outfinishing her Marty Wolfson stablemate E B Ryder to win the $75,000 Soaring Softly under apprentice Harry Hernandez.

Giving Wolfson his second stakes win on the card, Lori’s Store finished a mile in 1:39.78 over a course rated firm. It also was the second stakes win of the day for Hernandez.

Ninfa del Cielo, a Venezuelan champion making her U.S. debut, had no impact when finishing seventh as the 2-1 favorite in a field of 10 fillies and mares.

The 4-year-old filly drew considerable attention from her many fans on social media and those on hand at Gulfstream.

"The grass wasn't great for her," trainer Oscar Gonzalez said through an interpreter.