No catching Ikigai in Mr. Prospector

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - On paper, there appeared to be an abundance of speed in the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Handicap. But in the end, nobody was faster than Ikigai, who cruised to a 2 1/4-length victory over Rollers in the Grade 3 dash, highlighted Saturday's card at Gulfstream Park along with the $100,000 Dania Beach Stakes.

"They can't run with him," said Marty Wolfson who trains Ikigai for owner Edmund Gann. "They really can't. I loved him today. If he can run 45 over at Calder, you know he can run fast over here."

Ikigai, who ran under a $32,000 claiming tag when he won his maiden at Calder this summer, has captured five of his six starts for Wolfson. His lone setback came when he stumbled at the start of the Radar Love Stakes on Nov. 22.

Ikigai contested the opening quarter-mile of the six-furlong Mr. Prospector with the Brazilian import Granzino, shook clear under jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan on the turn, and maintained a comfortable advantage through the stretch. Rollers raced well placed outside rivals and was easily second.

Black Seventeen, one of two Grade 1 winners in the field along with Kelly's Landing, lost his best chance after stumbling at the start. He did well to finish third following a wide trip as the 2-1 co-choice with He's So Chic.

He's So Chic was a big disappointment, finishing a non-threatening fourth. Kelly's Landing faded badly from along the rail and was last in the field of seven.

Ikigai covered the distance in 1:09.37 over a fast track and paid $17.40.

"I'm not sure how far he'll go," Wolfson said of Ikigai. "The way he ran today maybe seven furlongs, although I'm really not sure if I even want to run him that far."

Dania Beach: Jack Spratt heads longshot parade

Jack Spratt overcame post position 13 under Julien Leparoux to lead a string of longshots across the wire in the $100,000 Dania Beach for 3-year-olds at a mile on the turf.

Jack Spratt finished a half-length in front of the 17-1 Lime Rickey, who in turn was a nose better than the 39-1 Beacon Hill Road. Adarai, at 20-1, finished best of all to be fourth.

The previously undefeated Kopitar faded to sixth after forcing the issue through midstretch as the even-money favorite.

Trained by Michael Maker, Jack Spratt paid $30.80 for his second win in six career starts. Final time for a mile was 1:35.59 over the firm course.