Ramseys send four starters to pair of Saturday turf stakes

Two of the five $100,000 stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Gulfstream Park are 7 1/2-furlong turf events that technically qualify as twin races. But it becomes fairly clear upon further inspection that the Grade 3 Dania Beach, for colts and geldings, is a deeper and more interesting race than its filly counterpart, the Ginger Brew.

In any event, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, the top-earning owner-breeder duo of 2014, could be getting a head start on another big year. They are represented by three starters in the Dania Beach and one of the favorites in the Ginger Brew. Remarkably, all four of the Ramsey horses are homebreds sired by their leading stallion, Kitten’s Joy.

Both races drew fields of 10, discounting one main-track-only filly in the Ginger Brew.

Post time for the Dania Beach, the seventh of 11 Saturday races, is 3:34 p.m. Eastern, with the Ginger Brew (race 9) following about an hour later.

:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Saturday

Dania Beach (race 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

Stormy Wayllen (Last 3 Beyers: 73-70-56)

* Meet-ending triumph at Arlington was easily done as a 2-5 favorite, and now he’ll have to show he can match up with stiffer company. Trainer Wayne Catalano enjoyed another huge year in 2014, winning 100 races for stable earnings of nearly $4.2 million.

Wayward Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 74-71-54)

* Gelded since his last start resulted in a just-miss runner-up finish on the first of two Stars of Tomorrow fall cards at Churchill Downs, this Ramsey color-bearer will be racing without blinkers for the first time. Rafael Hernandez, arguably the top newcomer of this Gulfstream meet, has the mount.

Smokem Kitten (Last Beyer: 78)

* Field-high 78 Beyer earned in his first and only start could make him a slight favorite for Mike Maker and the Ramseys, as he’ll be looking to duplicate that flashy debut on opening day of the championship meet.

Croninthebarbarian (Last 3 Beyers: 73-66-78)

* Useful colt owned by the Ol Memorial Stable of basketball coach Rick Pitino just missed five weeks ago in an ungraded turf stakes at Gulfstream Park West after making a strong midrace surge. The colt’s trainer, Garry Simms, has been an inspiration to horsemen and fans alike as he has been battling cancer for more than five years now.

Night Prowler (Last 3 Beyers: 73-62-69)

* Pompa homebred exits the same Gulfstream West stakes as Croninthebarbarian, as his belated stretch bid fell just short. Seems he’s yet another talented young horse from the shed row of Chad Brown, who gives leading jockey Javier Castellano the call.

Crown the Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 68-64-59)

* Like his Wesley Ward stablemate, Wayward Kitten, this gelding will race with blinkers off after making his last start in October. It’s hard to gauge how those races at Kentucky Downs and Retama will match up against this brand, but he does get Joel Rosario to help him along.

:: GULFSTREAM PARK: Get PPs, watch Saturday's card live

Ginger Brew (race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Sunday Sonnet (Last 3 Beyers: 45-74-69)

* Speedy filly has made one turf start, and it was a good one – a runner-up finish in the P.G. Johnson at Saratoga. Anything close to a repeat of that would make her tough here for the familiar team of Paco Lopez and Kelly Breen, especially if she can clear the field early without having to do too much work.

Cardinal Cove (Last 2 Beyers: 67-67)

* Unbeaten in two starts, this Florida-bred filly will get tested for class when making her stakes debut. Showed more speed in her Tampa Bay Downs allowance win than in her debut at Gulfstream West, so she’s liable to be in midpack through the early stages before Eddie Nunez lets her loose.

Right On Kitten (Last 2 Beyers: 62-61)

* Ramsey filly probably didn’t beat much in her easy victories in Indiana and Texas, but the experiences had to help toward this, and she has trained right along in recent weeks for Maker, who gives the mount to Castellano.