Main Event wins Cutler Bay; My Philly Twirl takes Sanibel Island

Mixed in somewhere with a whole bunch of other Florida Derby co-features Saturday at Gulfstream Park were a trio of $100,000 turf stakes that added to an eventful afternoon of racing at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track.

The Sand Springs, for older fillies and mares, was run after the Cutler Bay and before the Sanibel Island, both for 3-year-olds. All three were run at 1 1/16 miles over a course rated firm.

Main Event wins Cutler Bay

Providing quite a flourish to a breakthrough championship meet, Main Event led throughout in the Cutler Bay, drawing clear in the final furlong under Jose Ortiz in prevailing as a slight favorite in a field of eight colts and geldings. He paid $6.40 after finishing in 1:41.71.

Red Danger rallied mildly to be second, 3 1/4 lengths behind the winner and a nose before Smokin’ T.

Main Event began the meet winless from two prior starts before trainer George Weaver moved him to the grass. He won a Jan. 30 maiden race, then was second by a neck in the Palm Beach in his lone interim start.

“He’s really come along this winter,” Weaver said. “We’re very happy with the progress he’s made.”

The Grade 2 American Turf on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs is a possible next spot for Main Event, a Bernardini colt owned by Harrell Ventures.

My Philly Twirl hangs on

The wire couldn’t come soon enough for My Philly Twirl ($22.80), who somehow held off a couple of charging rivals to narrowly prevail in the Sanibel Island.

After having a clean stalking trip and taking the lead at the top of the stretch, My Philly Twirl was all-out to win by a head over 118-1 shot Big Tentations, with a desperate lunge by Beechnut Trophy just another nose shy at the finish. The winning time was 1:43.76.

My Philly Twirl, making her stakes debut “fought hard today,” winning jockey Julien Leparoux said. “We had a nice easy trip, the set-up was perfect, and she really stepped up. She keeps improving. We’ll see what she can do later.”

My Philly Twirl, now a winner of three straight for owner-breeder John Gallegos, gave trainer Brendan Walsh his second straight, and third overall, stakes win on the card, following Weyburn in the previous race, the Sir Shackleton.

Mischievous Kiss, the 9-10 favorite, had no apparent excuse when another 1 1/2 lengths back in fourth in a field of nine fillies.

Crystal Cliffs in Sand Springs

Between the 3-year-old races came a decisive victory by the come-backing Crystal Cliffs ($8.20) in the Sand Springs. Away since last June, the 5-year-old French-bred mare was last of eight under the wire the first time before she and Tyler Gaffalione swept past the front-runners in the upper stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Stolen Holiday.

Graham Motion trains Crystal Cliffs for Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Wonder Stables.

“You’re always concerned about first time back, but Tyler gave her a great ride,” Motion said. “She’s a nice filly. Hopefully we can have a big year with her. Maybe her next start will be at Keeneland or Belmont.”

Crystal Cliffs now has won three of seven starts after finishing in 1:42.26.