Super Spender returns to scene of last win
MIAMI – The return of Northern-based horsemen to south Florida in anticipation of the 2015-16 Gulfstream Park championship meet has already begun, with an influx of new faces who should have a major impact on the Gulfstream Park West session, which runs for the next eight weeks at the track formerly known as Calder Race Course.
A case in point is Friday’s main event, an entry-level allowance dash on the turf for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs. Nine horses were entered for the $39,000 race, including the main-track-only entrant Sonofaderbywinner. The likely favorite is New Jersey invader Super Spender, who returned to the area along with the first contingent of horses from the barn of trainer Jane Cibelli.
Super Spender is no stranger to local fans. The son of Super Saver won back-to-back races last spring at Gulfstream Park prior to shipping north for the summer. The Gulfstream wins came in a $35,000 maiden claimer by one length March 22 and a midlevel starter allowance by 4 1/4 lengths about a month later. He has been winless since, with his best effort in four subsequent starts a neck loss in an allowance race over the Delaware Park turf in July.
The local contingent is led by Big Distinction, Bettarun Realfast, and More Applause.
Big Distinction caught a much tougher group of turf sprinters, raced wide, and turned in an even effort in his most recent start Aug. 23 at Gulfstream. Although his only victory came on dirt, his top Beyer Speed Figure came in that last outing.
Bettarun Realfast has been a model of consistency of late for trainer Kathleen O’Connell but will have to step up his game a notch. He moves into allowance company for the first time off a third place finish against midlevel conditioned claimers four weeks ago.
More Applause will try turf for the first time while returning from a three-month freshening. He has a license to handle the change in surface, being by More Than Ready and out of a graded stakes-winning mare, Cassidy, who won on grass.
Key contenders
Super Spender (Last 3 Beyers: 72-69-79)
◗ Owns by far the best turf Beyer in the field, the 84 he posted in winning at Gulfstream in April.
Big Distinction (Last 3 Beyers: 67-55-52)
◗ He looked very sharp while turning in a swift half-mile move in company with maiden $16,000 winner Harryhee over the main track Sept. 26.
Bettarun Realfast (Last 3 Beyers: 71-69-67)
◗ He made up ground from the top of the stretch to the wire for the first time in his last outing, rallying from midpack to be beaten a length in his initial venture outside of the maiden ranks.