Gulfstream Park: Dayatthespa takes advantage of pace in Sweetest Chant Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Dayatthespa finished full of run off a lively pace under leading rider Javier Castellano to launch her 3-year-old campaign with an impressive 1 3/4-length victory over Wholelottashakin in Sunday’s $100,000 Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream Park.

Dayatthespa, making her first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, relaxed near the rear of the field off a lively pace set by Ginger Brew runner-up Ready Signal. Dayatthespa commenced her rally after five furlongs, was forced extremely wide into the stretch while continuing her bid, and then lugged in briefly while joining the leaders near midstretch before surging well clear through the final sixteenth-mile.

Wholelottashakin also benefitted from the fast pace, rallying near the inside to reach even command with the leaders at the eighth pole before proving no match for the winner. Frolic’s Revenge, upset winner of the Ginger Brew in her 2-year-old finale, raced forwardly and outlasted the others.

Dayatthespa is a New York-bred daughter of City Zip owned by the partnership of Jerry Frankel, Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon, and Bradley Thoroughbreds. Trained by Chad Brown, Dayatthespa returned $4.80 as the favorite in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies.

“She didn’t break good and got back further than expected,” Brown said. “There was a good pace up front, and they tired, so it worked out. I don’t like to make an excuse for the Breeders’ Cup, but Ramon [Dominguez] said that it was probably too soft for her and she didn’t care for it. She looks like she’s going to be best at a middle distance.”