Sibling to Presious Passion tries to clear first allowance condition
Giant’s Passion has a long way to go to match the accomplishments of his half-brother Presious Passion, but he can take a step in the right direction in Saturday’s fifth race at Gulfstream Park. Giant’s Passion is a chief contender in the first-level allowance. It is for 3-year-olds and up at a mile on turf, and the field of 10 includes the impressive debut winner Changing Direction.
Gulfstream has 12 races Saturday. There are three maiden special weights starting with the sixth race, a sprint for fillies and mares in which 3-year-old Ginger Rush, the first foal to race from Victorina, a Grade 3 winner and earner of $732,728, makes her debut. The field also includes Colonel Dettwiller, a half-sister to millionaire Yes It’s True. In the eighth race for 2-year-olds, Habersham Village launches his career. He is a full brother to multiple Grade 3 winner Fort Loudon.
◗ Bullet Gone Astray is scheduled to work Saturday at Gulfstream in preparation for the Grade 1 Hopeful on Sept. 7 at Saratoga, trainer Henry Collazo told track officials. The 2-for-2 Bullet Gone Astray won the Mountaineer Juvenile in his last start Aug. 1. Luca Panici has the mount in the Hopeful.
Race 5
KEY CONTENDERS
Giant’s Passion (Last 3 Beyers: 82-80-76)
◗ He has a big half-brother to look up to in multiple Grade 1 winner Presious Passion, who won two runnings of the United Nations and banked $2.6 million. Presious Passion won 14 of 52 starts in his career, with 11 of his wins coming in stakes races.
◗ Giant’s Passion exits an optional $35,000 claiming race July 1 at Gulfstream in which he finished fourth. He was beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile turf race that went in a quick 1:40.40. The start was the first against winners for Giant’s Passion, who won a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles on turf June 13 at Gulfstream.
◗ J.J. Gonzales has the mount for trainer Terri Pompay.
Changing Direction (Last Beyer: 77)
◗ Triple Crown nominee made his career debut July 17 at Gulfstream and rallied for a two-length win in a five-furlong turf sprint. Two horses he defeated have returned to win maiden races at Gulfstream.
◗ Changing Direction will be stretching out around two turns and is bred to appreciate the added ground as a son of Super Derby winner Arch.
◗ Tyler Gaffalione has the mount for trainer Gustavo Delgado.