Stakes doubleheader for 3-year-old turf set
A couple of one-mile, $75,000 turf stakes for 3-year-olds share the spotlight at Gulfstream Park West on Saturday.
First up is the Showing Up, with 12 colts and geldings entered in what appears to be a wide-open event.
The Cellars Shiraz drew a full field of 14 fillies, plus Curlin’s Princess, who has been entered for the main track only.
The 11-race card will begin earlier than usual at 11:55 a.m. Eastern.
KEY CONTENDERS
SHOWING UP (race 7)
Courtier (Last 3 Beyers: 41-89-88)
◗ The Bill Mott-trained son of Pioneerof the Nile might not have cared for the soft conditions when he finished last in the Grade 3 Hill Prince at Belmont on Oct. 3. Toss the race, and he looks like the one to beat.
◗ He came from well back to win the $206,000 Centaur at Indiana Grand on Sept. 9 and forced the pace when he finished third in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame at Saratoga on Aug. 7.
My Point Exactly (Last 3 Beyers: 89-90-61)
◗ Trained by Bill Kaplan, he earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure when he won the $75,000 Bear’s Den for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park on July 25, and he came back with a solid effort to finish third in the $75,000 Eight Miles East for 3-year-olds and up Aug. 8.
Watchyourownbobber (Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-78)
◗ The Mike Maker trainee came off a win in a $50,000 claiming race at Saratoga to just miss as the runner-up in the Grade 3 Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs on Sept. 26.
◗ He has speed but is versatile and could get a nice trip from a stalking position with Eddie Castro aboard.
Tennessee (Last 3 Beyers: 85-81-85)
◗ Trained by Todd Pletcher, he won a first-level allowance race at Keeneland on Oct. 10, when he tried turf for the first time.
CELLARS SHIRAZ (race 9)
Quiet Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 95-77-71)
◗ She is stepping up in class following back-to-back wins on turf at Monmouth and Gulfstream.
◗ Trained by Marcus Vitali, she will get the hat trick if she can reproduce the 95 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her romp in a $25,000 starter race across town in her most recent start.
Marabea (Beyers: 68-84)
◗ Grade 3-placed in Italy and now trained by Christophe Clement, she looked great in winning her first start in North America at Delaware. But she was rank early and finished last in her latest race, the Grade 2 Sands Point at Belmont on Sept. 12.