New turf course passes first test

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Grass racing returned to Gulfstream Park for the first time in nearly six months when Kahiko rallied to victory over the 2-1 favorite Fast as Flight in Friday’s featured ninth event, decided under allowance conditions over the newly renovated course rated good.

Kahiko, who had posted four of her five previous victories over the local strip, was making just her second start since late January and her first on the grass since finishing second in an overnight handicap here in September of 2021. Miguel Vasquez rode the winner, who is trained by J. Kent Sweezey.

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Julien Leparoux, who was aboard Fast as Flight, said he felt the course had improved dramatically since he last rode here last winter and spring, during the 2021-22 Championship meet.

“I talked to some of the other riders pulling up after the race and everybody was happy,” said Leparoux.

“She got over it good. She got a nice hold of it. It was perfect. The turf course held up really well. They did a good job. It looks good, it feels good. It’s a big improvement over last year.”

Weather permitting, the new turf course will be extensively used over the weekend, with six races carded on the grass here Saturday and five more on Sunday.

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