Gulfstream's summer stakes schedule worth $3.78 million

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Gulfstream Park summer stakes schedule has been released and will again be highlighted by the Summit of Speed, featuring the Grade 2 Princess Rooney and Grade 3 Smile Sprint on June 29.

The tradition-rich, $1.4 million Florida Sire Stakes also return with the two finales, the $400,000 In Reality and $400,000 My Dear Girl Stakes, on Sept. 29.

The stakes program will be worth $3.78 million, with the average daily purse schedule for the four-day race weeks set at $315,000 and an additional $1 million in incentive awards set aside for 2-year-old races to begin in April. Management also announced that throughout the meet, the fifth- to last-place finishers would be awarded a stipend of $500 or $750 each, depending on the purse of the race.

“The summer racing season at Gulfstream has grown every year, and we’re looking forward to our best summer season ever,” said Bill Badgett, Gulfstream’s general manager. “With horsemen supporting our product and more horses being stabled in South Florida year-round, we will continue growing our product and working with all our partners.”

Badgett was referring to the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, both of which help fund the lucrative summer meet.

The summer meet runs April 4 through Sept. 29.

◗ Horologist returned to allowance company and to the winner’s circle Friday, holding off Bella Ciao to capture the card’s $51,000 main event, with the regally bred Graceful Princess finishing a tiring third as the 2-5 favorite. Horologist ($17.40) was stakes-placed twice earlier in the meet and was exiting the Grade 3 Forward Gal, having finished an even fifth in the seven-furlong fixture.

Joe Bravo rode Horologist, a daughter of Gemologist, for Theres a Chance Stable and trainer John Mazza.

◗ Leading jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. padded his advantage on Thursday when riding three consecutive winners – Papa’s Girl ($6.60), Julia’s Kitty ($4.20), and Uhtred ($19), a promising first-time starter trained by Christophe Clement. Ortiz will begin serving a five-day suspension Wednesday.

Paco Lopez also posted a hat trick Thursday to give him four victories in his first two days back from a 30-day suspension.

Gulfstream’s strong jockey colony will get even deeper next week, with Joel Rosario coming here for the remainder of the championship meet due to the temporary suspension of racing at Santa Anita, where he is the leading rider with 51 wins during the winter meet.

◗ With daylight saving time beginning Sunday, there will be a first-post change here starting next week. Weekday racing will have a first post of 1:15 p.m. Eastern, with Saturday and Sunday cards to begin at 12:45 p.m. Post time this Sunday will remain at noon.