Gulfstream Park: Allowance feature comes up tough

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Three lightly raced fillies coming off promising 3-year-old seasons – Christine Daae, Cinco de Mayo Mio, and Bahama Bound – have picked Friday’s $71,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park to launch their 2011 campaigns.

Christine Daae and Bahama Bound both tried Grade 1 company last summer at Saratoga. Christine Daae has not started since finishing sixth in the Test while Bahama Bound was fourth in the Coaching Club America Oaks.

Christine Daae is no stranger to Gulfstream Park, having won her maiden here last winter off a similar layoff before stretching out to dominate entry-level allowance company going a mile and one-eighth five weeks later. Trainer Patrick Biancone said he stopped on Christine Daae after the Test due to some bone bruising but that she’s training forwardly for her return.

“We gave her plenty of time and she’s coming back very good,” said Biancone, who trains Christine Daae for the partnership of Michael Imperio and Kona Stable LLC. “This race will give us a lot of answers to our questions regarding where she might go from here. I am very happy with her and I expect her to run well, but until they actually run you never know.”

Bahama Bound made one more start after the CCA Oaks, finishing fourth following a wide trip in an overnight stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 3. Like Christine Daae, Bahama Bound won her maiden here during the winter of 2010 and has been working smartly over the local surface for trainer Barclay Tagg.

Cinco de Mayo Mio won her 3-year-old finale, a six-furlong optional claiming race at Belmont Park on Oct. 14, before heading to the sidelines. She has been preparing for her return with trainer Tom Albertrani at Palm Meadows.

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