Tapeta win gives Charlie's Wish options moving forward

Charlie’s Wish, one of two stakes winners for trainer David Fawkes last Saturday at Gulfstream Park, won her synthetic-track debut in the $100,000 Ginger Punch when the race was moved from turf to Tapeta.

“The fact that she switched over so easy to the Tapeta, it opens a whole other door,” Fawkes said. “So, that was nice. She’s very, very honest. She always tries, turf, dirt. We’ll see what comes up next.

“I took her to Churchill Downs last year, and I’m not against doing that again if I can find a race there for her. I’d just like to try to find something. We’ll see what we’ve got in the next book here.”

Charlie’s Wish earned one of her best Beyer Speed Figures in the Ginger Punch, an 87.

Reef Runner was the other Fawkes stakes winner Saturday. He won the $95,000 Bob Umphrey Sprint that was moved from turf to Tapeta.

“He’s only a 3-year-old,” Fawkes said. “I was very pleased with how he ran against older horses.”

Fawkes said next race plans are to be determined for Reef Runner, but he will look at all options, including those at Aqueduct.

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Drum Roll back on Tapeta

Fawkes will attempt to keep the barn’s momentum going Friday, when he saddles Drum Roll in the featured sixth race at Gulfstream Park. She’s part of a competitive field of eight in a conditioned allowance for fillies and mares over five furlongs on turf.

Drum Roll is returning to the grass after a start on Tapeta.

“It makes a big difference,” Fawkes said of the surface switch for Drum Roll. “Her numbers are definitely better on the turf versus on the Tapeta.”

Drum Roll has won her last two turf starts. Miguel Vasquez, who was aboard both of the Fawkes stakes winners Saturday, has the mount on Drum Roll. She will break from post 4.

“She’s usually is a little off the pace, mid-pack, just a little farther back,” Fawkes said. “I hope there’s enough speed in there.”

Hihellohowareyou is shortening up a tad in distance after a pair of competitive dirt races at six furlongs, both against the talented Bluefield.

“Coming from the little layoff that she had, it’s good she’s running short,” said trainer Jose D’Angelo.

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