Starter races filled with opportunities for horses and bettors alike

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Claiming Crown was inaugurated 20 years ago this coming summer. Imitation, it seems, has become a sincere way of flattering its success. The concept of carding full or partial slates of starter-allowance races is frequently copied, with the latest example being the Presidents Day card at Gulfstream Park.

The first 11 of 12 Monday races are starter-allowances in the Claiming Crown mold: all are subdivided according to age, sex, distance, surface, and price conditions, and all offer purses higher than what its contestants typically run for. This is the third year Gulfstream – the site of every Claiming Crown since 2013 – has offered these $60,000 starter events on the third Monday of February, and all of them, cleverly enough, sport the nickname of a late president or first lady.

First post is noon Eastern, with the Rainbow 6 spanning races 7-12. After Monday, Gulfstream goes dark for one day before a new five-day week begins Wednesday.

Here is a quick rundown of each starter race:

Little Magician (race 1): Montclair, with Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride, is one of the main players among eight older horses going a mile on turf after having ascended to peak form for trainer Jason Servis and then being claimed out of a win for $16,000 in his last race by trainer Yvon Belsoeur. Dexter Road, My Point Exactly, and Uno Emayo also figure.

Lady Bird (2): This seven-furlong race for fillies and mares is an interesting rematch of a Jan. 25 starter in which Misschief Maas, a 7-2 shot, ran right past Starship Reina, who was the 7-10 favorite for the meet’s leading trainer, Jorge Navarro. It looks like Starship Reina is lone speed this time, so she has a good shot at turning the tables.

Rough and Ready (3): Uno Mas Modelo, in terrific form, could be using this a springboard to the Grade 1 Churchill Downs on the May 4 Kentucky Derby card, according to owner Ron Paolucci. With Javier Castellano riding, the 6-year-old gelding will be odds-on in a one-mile race that drew just six other older horses.

Trust Buster (4): Navarro is the central figure in this six-furlong race. He has the likely favorite in a field of six older horses in Whyruawesome, most recently a runner-up behind Uno Mas Modelo, and he also is the trainer of Magnifier and the former trainer of Singanothersong, claimed from him last out.

Mary Todd (5): A couple of 5-year-old mares drawn closest to the hedge, Na Pali Spirit and Lucky Long, figure to come well-backed in this 1 1/16-mile turf race for older fillies and mares. Lucky Long will have Ortiz getting a leg up from Rohan Crichton, who sent out two winners here Friday.

Rail Splitter (6): Navarro has a formidable pair in this 6 1/2-furlong race for older horses in Wildwood Dancer, winner of a key Jan. 25 prep, and Dupree, a sharp two-back winner in starter company. Unbridled Outlaw, Focus On Me, and Musical Heart all rate decent chances, too, among a field of seven.

Mrs. Presidentress (7): Seven of the 12 3-year-old fillies entered in this one-mile turf race took part in a virtually identical Jan. 25 starter won by Yako, who’s among those entered back, again with Ortiz riding. Sister Peacock, second as the 6-5 choice that day, drew the outside post this time.

Queen Mother (8): Five of the 11 3-year-old fillies in this seven-furlong race are entered off a maiden-claiming win, and two more were two-back winners in that category. Midtown Rose, a three-time winner, will be favored with Ortiz riding.

Sage of Monticello (9): No doubt this is the deepest race of the day, with a full gate of 14 3-year-olds going a mile on turf. Baffin Bay and Max K.O., the respective 1-2 finishers for these same conditions Jan. 25, will be among the top choices over the likes of Quasar Moon, Tangible, and First and Three.

Old Hickory (10): Jay’s Way showed renewed signs of vigor when he was narrowly defeated in the Sunshine Millions Classic, so he’ll probably be a slight choice in this 1 1/16-mile race over the highly consistent Rich Daddy and Zulu, who stretches out for Navarro from six furlongs to a more suitable distance. Seven older horses go.

Old Man Eloquent (11): Dubby Dubbie, overmatched in the Pegasus World Turf Cup, makes his second start since being privately purchased by Paolucci as the one to beat among 11 older turf horses going 1 1/16 miles. The chief threats are Your Only Man, Fast and Accurate, and Second Mate.