Gulfstream: Brendan Walsh, Santiva will have to wait for another day

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Brendan Walsh will have to wait another day to launch his training career. Walsh, a native of Cork, Ireland, was hoping to send out his first starter, the Grade 2 winner Santiva, in Saturday’s ninth race, but he was unable to draw in off the also-eligible list.

Walsh worked as an exercise rider and assistant to Eddie Kenneally, who trained Santiva earlier in his career. Santiva has not run since finishing eighth in the Belmont. He was entered to run on the grass for only the second time in his career on Saturday.

Duke of Mischief getting ready

Overnight rain limited training at Gulfstream on Saturday but had little effect on the racetracks at Calder and Palm Meadows, where several prominent horses turned in workouts.

At Calder, Duke of Mischief went an easy five furlongs in 1:01.40 for trainer David Fawkes. The Palm Meadows tab was topped by Jackson Bend, who went a half-mile in 48.33, and Alpha, who worked the same distance in a nearly identical 48.40.

Duke of Mischief is expected to make his next start in the Florida Millions Classic on Jan. 28. Jackson Bend has not started since finishing third as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Alpha, runner-up in the Grade 1 Champagne, finished 11th after being fractious at the gate prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.