Surface change in Bay Harbor Island Stakes would be just fine with Headline Hunter

Tropical Storm Alex may not only ruin vacation plans around the local area this weekend but could also have a large say in the outcome of Sunday’s main event at Gulfstream Park, the $60,000 Bay Harbor Island Stakes, which is scheduled to be run at five furlongs on the turf for fillies and mares.

With the first named storm of the season expected to dump large amounts of rain in South Florida, horsemen and handicappers alike should prepare for most, if not all, scheduled turf races to be decided on the Tapeta track over the next several days. The turf course is scheduled to close for renovations after the conclusion of racing on June 12.

A change in surface for the Bay Harbor Island would obviously enhance the chances of likely favorite Headline Hunter, who has won four of her five starts over synthetic tracks. Her lone setback came by a neck to Phantom Vision in her 2022 debut, which came in January during the heart of the Gulfstream Park Championship meeting.

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The latest of Headline Hunter’s four Tapeta wins came in the Captiva Island on March 12, which was also originally carded for the grass. The 4-year-old daughter of Tapizar won at the direct expense of Miss Auramet, who also is entered in Sunday’s race. Headline Hunter stalked the pace that afternoon before readily pulling clear by 2 1/4 lengths when roused through the final furlong. Headline Hunter received a career-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure. In her only start since then Headline Hunter ran 12th in the Giant’s Causeway, a turf sprint at Keeneland.

Headline Hunter has changed trainers but not barns. She will run for Francisco D’Angelo, the father of her former trainer Jose D’Angelo, who is sitting out a suspension meted out for medication violations during the 2021 Monmouth Park meet.

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has watched the 6-year-old Miss Auramet run well over all surfaces throughout her career. She has posted 11 wins and 10 seconds in 30 starts. The majority of her success has come on grass, although she has registered a pair of victories over both fast and wet dirt tracks.

“It doesn’t matter what she runs on, to be honest with you,” said Plesa.

The speedy Miss Auramet could face some serious early pressure, not only from Headline Hunter but from Fulminate, who has gone wire to wire in allowance sprints over the turf in her two most recent starts. Fulminate was overmatched and perhaps somewhat distance challenged in her only try on a synthetic track, finishing a tiring eighth going seven furlongs in the Glorious Song last fall at Woodbine.

My Destiny and Mon Petit Chou both would be making their debut over the Tapeta if a surface change is indeed in the cards on Sunday. My Destiny has trained well off a brief freshening after being in a bit over her head in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie on March 12.

Mon Petit Chou was likewise overmatched in the Musical Romance just two weeks ago. She ran third in the Game Face at Gulfstream on dirt a year ago.