Gulfstream Park workout report for Saturday, Nov. 23
Here are some horses to keep in mind, based on observing workouts, as Gulstream prepares to open it Championship meet on Nov. 30.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Race 1:
Karla and Me
Nov. 15 – Flashed more speed (34.80 seconds for three furlongs, 47.23 for a half-mile), albeit under pressure from the gate, than the previous week, when she breezed into a headwind. Finished two lengths behind unplaced juvenile Mane Meal. Rating: B-
Starship Marquis
Nov. 16 – Flew early and weakened under pressure, her final quarter in 25.29 while equipped with blinkers. Rating: B-
You Never Learn
Nov. 11 – Finished willingly, her final quarter-mile of a 49.89-second half-mile in 24.29; galloped out reasonably well while breezing without blinkers. Grade: B-
Race 2:
Ladyfromhavana
Nov. 16 – The best of a series of drills in preparation for her return from a lengthy hiatus; showed big speed into a strong headwind from the gate and did tire a bit during the gallop-out. Rating: B
Our Year
Nov. 18 – Looked sharp blowing out an easy three furlongs in 35.51; galloped out with interest – 48.37 for a half-mile, up five furlongs in 1:02.46. Rating: B
Chippette
Nov. 17 – Remains in peak form; sizzled four furlongs over a very fast track in 46.99 and finished well into the teeth of a strong headwind. Rating: B+
Race 3
Formal Quality
Nov. 16 – Rode a big tailwind to a sub-23-second opening quarter, weakened under pressure, and completed a half in 46.68 with little left at the end. Rating: B-
Highdixieibis
Nov. 17 – Proved no match for 2-year-old mate Tequesta Storm; broke five lengths in front, finished a head back after a swift half-mile to the wire in 47.28, and they continued out as a team in 1:00.67. Rating: B-
Newly Fashioned
Nov. 13 – Worked into a strong headwind; went on even terms but was hard pressed much of the way to keep pace with older maiden Borges after an average half in 49.60. Rating: C+
Race 4
Mr. Candy
Aug. 18 – Went off quickly alongside Victory Mast in 11.83 and 23.47, was pushed a tad to the wire in 49.02, and galloped out as team in 1:01.89 and 1:15.33 for six furlongs. Rating: B
Victory Mast
Aug. 18 – See above for splits, but this colt did it a bit easier and in hand throughout. Good upside for both colts. Rating: B
Sea of Faces
Aug. 18 – Went off slowly with Forged in 14.20 and 39.20 and seemingly was second-best while pushed home in 1:03.89; galloped out nicely in 1:30.82 for seven furlongs. Rating: B-
Mendocino Joe
Nov. 17 – Worked an uninspiring C+ on Nov. 11 but was a bit better today, breaking a length behind Corail and finishing even at the wire in 49.22. Both galloped out well in 1:02.10 and 1:15.83. Rating: B-
Race 5
Candy Man Can
Nov. 11 – Went a relaxed 25-second opening quarter. Looked sharp near the wire in 49.89 under his own power, and galloped out strongly in 1:03.92. Rating: B
Ringold
Nov. 18 – Got hot and proved no match for his workmate while going a very average half in 49.74 with little improvement on a pressured five furlongs in 1:03 and change the previous week. Rating: C+
Race 6
Fazed
Nov. 18 – A maintenance three furlongs in 37.60 following a fast but pressured half in 47.79 the previous week. Rating: B-
Hot and Dangerous
Nov. 16 – Had Kent Desormeaux up. Started two lengths behind ande finished two better than her work partner, and completed five furlongs in 1:02.16 while being asked to the wire. Rating: B-
Araksia
Nov. 16 – Easily the best of a set of three; went in 34.67 to the wire, completed a half into the turn in 48.34 without being asked, and finished six lengths clear of the others. Rating: B+
Istrue
Nov. 17 – An eye-catching move, just cruising in 23 and 45.89 while finishing in hand into a strong headwind; doesn’t get much better than this. Rating: A-
Joann’s Wildcat
Nov. 11 – I caught the last half in 47.62 while she was being asked to the wire, completing a series of decent works in preparation for a return from a long layoff. Rating: B-
– additional reporting by Mike Vesce from Palm Meadows