Spanish Pipedream will try to relax with blinkers off in turf sprint
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Spanish Pipedream was so highly regarded by Wesley Ward that he sent her overseas last spring to compete in a Group 2 race at the prestigious Royal Ascot meet in England. Unraced since a respectable fourth-place finish amid a field of 21 in that race, Spanish Pipedream resurfaces Friday at Gulfstream as the likely favorite in the only allowance of the day.
Spanish Pipedream was a flashy winner of her career debut last April at Keeneland before being sent to Ascot. Ward laid her up afterward to give her time to further mature, and he is happy with how she has trained toward her comeback.
Spanish Pipedream, with Rafael Hernandez to ride, will break from post 4 in the ninth of 10 Friday races, a $48,000, first-level allowance, with a $75,000 claiming option, at five furlongs on turf. Ten 3-year-old fillies are entered, although only as many as nine will start if the weather stays dry, as expected.
Spanish Pipedream was equipped with blinkers for her two races last year, but Ward said those are no longer needed.
“I want to see her relax rather than stretch her speed out,” he said this week from Ocala, Fla. “I’m thinking beyond this race. She’s ready to get started on what we hope is a big year.”
More dry weather is forecast for south Florida through the weekend, meaning Red Rei Rei, entered in the feature as “main track only,” is likely to scratch.
First post Friday is 12:30 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 4:34.
KEY CONTENDERS
Spanish Pipedream (Last 2 Beyers: NA-NA)
◗ It’s somewhat difficult to gauge her true ability, given that Beyer Speed Figures were not calculated for either of her races last year. But there’s little doubt that she was one of the more precocious babies in the Ward barn last spring, which is an obvious positive.
◗ Ward shows outstanding numbers (20 percent-plus) in at least five categories that apply here, including long layoffs and blinkers off.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Spanish Pipedream. Trainer Wesley Ward is 9-4-3-0 with a $4.25 ROI over the past five years taking blinkers off in turf sprints following a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Presto Magic (Last 3 Beyers: 71-54-60)
◗ Like so many sons and daughters of More Than Ready, this filly moved up noticeably when shifted to the grass, winning for the first time in four starts when capturing a maiden race here Jan. 10.
◗ Trainer Kelly Breen, who tends to take it a little slower at this time of year than at other times, shows high percentages in 2014-15 with turf sprints (27 percent) and repeat winners (26 percent).
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Presto Magic. Trainer Kelly Breen is 16-0-2-1 over the last five years on turf in the start following a maiden win. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Hangover Saturday (Last 3 Beyers: 67-49-65)
◗ This Florida-bred filly was a three-back winner of a restricted stakes but remains eligible for this by being risked for the $75,000 claiming option that’s part of the race conditions.
Angel Falls (Last 3 Beyers: 59-64-55)
◗ This daughter of the noted grass sire City Zip wheels back on just five days’ rest for Manny Azpurua after being overmatched in the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant.