Sunshine stakes top the Gulfstream calendar over next two weeks
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Gulfstream stakes schedule the next two weeks consists entirely of $75,000 races formerly known as Sunshine Millions events.
Those races are the Sunshine Classic and Sunshine Sprint next Saturday, followed by the Sunshine Turf and Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf on Jan. 22.
Seven graded stakes are set for Jan. 29, the first major date of 2022, led by the Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup expected to match Knicks Go and Life Is Good.
Facility upgrades near done
They seem to be taking it down to the wire, but Gulfstream officials are expecting a number of improvements to be completed ahead of the Pegasus.
The two most noticeable deficiencies for current ontrack customers are the lack of an infield video board – which has not been operational for months – and an active construction site just north of the paddock runway. That large space is replacing the former tiki-bar area with a more upscale facility that can accommodate a variety of events.
Most of the work on both projects is being conducted so as not to disrupt training and racing.
Moubarak back in game
Mohammed Moubarak is back training after a hiatus of nearly 15 years. Moubarak said he intends to run Dimenna, a recent claim for $6,250, in an upcoming race at Gulfstream. Through the years, Moubarak, 54, has been employed in various capacities in the Thoroughbred business, including a nine-year training stint (1993-2001) during which he recorded most of his 265 career wins.