Hay Dakota sets course record

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Hay Dakota not only won Sunday’s allowance feature, he set a course record, rallying through a narrow opening nearing midstretch to register a three-quarter-length victory over Sombeyay. He ran the 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass in 1:26.91.

Hay Dakota is trained by Jason Servis and was the third win on the card for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who won the $3 million Pegasus World Cup the previous afternoon aboard Mucho Gusto.

Hay Dakota was also the winner of the fifth leg in Sunday’s Rainbow 6 sequence, which featured a mandatory payout of a carryover pool that had grown to more than $3.6 million. An additional $10,675,583 in wagers was added to that total, with the payout for all six winners returning $11,600.60.

Gran Malbec should prompt pace

Racing resumes Wednesday with a 10-race card topped by a $44,000 allowance/optional claiming dash carded at five furlongs on the turf that lured a field of seven grass sprint specialists.

Gran Malbec looks to get back on the winning track following near a one-year absence from the winner’s circle and figures to force the early running along with Scribe, R Boy Bode, and Captain Ron. A lively pace could enhance the chances of the veteran Amelia’s Wild Ride, who has not visited the winner’s circle himself since January 2019 but was a rallying third in a similarly conditioned event during the Gulfstream Park West meet.