Gulfstream: Mr. Speaker may get shot on dirt after impressive win in Dania Beach

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Mr. Speaker may become one of the more intriguing members of the 3-year-old division here this winter after rallying to an impressive 2 3/4-length victory over 37-1 chance Cabo Cat in Saturday’s $100,000 Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The Grade 3 Dania Beach was decided at a mile on the turf but trainer Shug McGaughey did not rule out trying Mr. Speaker, a son of Pulpit, on dirt in early 2014. And why not, considering Mr. Speaker’s second dam is Personal Ensign, who produced My Flag, Miner’s Mark, and Traditionally, all of whom won Grade 1 races on dirt.

Mr. Speaker led throughout to win his maiden in his previous start at Belmont Park but settled back in the pack during the early stages of the Dania Beach under jockey Jose Lezcano. Mr. Speaker moved to close contention along the inside leaving the backstretch, had to steady along awaiting clearance into the stretch, and then burst through a hole on the rail nearing the eighth pole to win going away.

Cabo Cat swung wide into the stretch and finished well but proved no match for the winner, checking home second, a half-length in front of the French-bred Pleuven, who overcame a somewhat eventful trip to finish third before galloping out strongly after the race.

Bon Accord, fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, stumbled after the start and then surprisingly rushed to the lead to set the pace into the stretch before tiring badly to finish eighth in a field of nine 2-year-old colts and geldings. Request, the tepid 5-2 favorite, finished last.

Mr. Speaker completed the distance over a firm course in 1:36.60 and paid $23.40.

“He’s been training well,” said McGaughey. “His first two races were better than they looked. Then he came back and broke his maiden. Everybody took back and he found himself on the lead. It didn’t bother me that he wasn’t on the lead today. I thought Jose rode him really well to get him in position down the backside.”

McGaughey then left little doubt as to his thoughts about trying Mr. Speaker on the main track.

“Yeah, we’ll try him on the dirt,” said McGaughey. “Maybe next time. He’s matured a lot since he left Belmont. I hope he continues to go that way and he should.”