Lady's Island, Art G Is Back take off-the-turf Gulfstream stakes

Lady’s Island splashed to a nine-length win over Catharsis on Sunday in the $75,000 Nicole’s Dream at Gulfstream Park. The race was one of two stakes on the card. Art G Is Back captured the $75,000 Thirsty Fish.

Both races were originally scheduled for turf but were run on a sloppy, sealed track.

The Nicole’s Dream was a five-furlong race for fillies and mares. The Thirsty Fish, for 3-year-olds, was run over seven furlongs.

Lady’s Island ($3.40) was in control from the start in the Nicole’s Dream, setting uncontested fractions of 21.93 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.76 for the half-mile. She proceeded to cover the distance in 57.77.

Emisael Jaramillo was aboard for trainer Georgina Baxter.

Lady’s Island is a daughter of Greatness who races for Matties Racing Stable and Averill Racing. The mare has now won 9 of 22 starts and earned $226,175.

Art G Is Back ($9.20) tracked the pace set by Fully Loaded in the Thirsty Fish, as that one took the field through an opening quarter in 23.37 seconds and a half-mile in 46.49. Art G Is Back pulled even with the leader into the stretch as Jackson, who was looking for his third straight win, got through along the rail after trouble at the start. Art G Is Back began to separate himself from his two rivals in the lane, going on to cover the distance in 1:23.48.

Miguel Vazquez was aboard for trainer Ronnie Spatz.

Art G Is Back won by two lengths over Sharetheblame. It was another length back in third to Jackson.

Art G Is Back is a son of Exchange Rate who is owned by Monarch Stables. He has now won 2 of 8 starts and has earnings of $123,275.