Three optional-claiming races on 10-race card
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Local racing fans and spring-break tourists who would have preferred to enjoy their Sunday afternoon basking on the Gulfstream Park apron will just have to soak up their sunshine elsewhere. The “no spectator” policy that began Friday because of the coronavirus scourge will render future afternoons here eerily quiet, save for the sound of pounding hooves and cracking whips at half-hour intervals.
Indeed, the show soldiers on, with horseplayers availing themselves to racing action through the magic of television, computers, and hand-held devices. There’ll be no shortage of wagering opportunities here Sunday, with three optional-claiming races, all for older horses, being among the better offerings on a 10-race card that starts at 1 p.m. Eastern.
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The last two optional claimers are links in the Rainbow 6 (races 5-10), which has a projected pool guarantee of at least $1 million – assuming the jackpot was not emptied Friday or Saturday by a solo winning ticket.
Here’s a quick rundown of the co-features:
Race 4: Lemniscate, in sharp recent form, will be looking to get a jump on the comebacking Motagally when they clash among a short field in this $51,000 first-level race at 1 1/16 miles.
Lemniscate is trained by Kenny McPeek, who sent out two winners here Thursday. Motagally, unraced since easily winning a maiden race in February 2019, shows 11 works since mid-December and is trained by Chad Brown.
Race 8: After a frustrating start to his racing career in the United States, Monarchs Glen was sold privately and turned over to Danny Gargan, who is optimistic there’s still time for the British-bred 6-year-old to evolve into a top performer. Monarchs Glen, with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, figures as a solid favorite over Golden Dragon and Profiteer in this $53,000 turf route with multi-tiered conditions.
“I thought his last race was huge,” said Gargan, referring to a similar allowance Feb. 12, when he was beaten a nose. “If he gets the right trip and things go his way, he ought to be very tough in this spot. He couldn’t be doing any better, really.”
Race 9: Midtown Rose was not a factor when tested against the likes of Lady’s Island and other fleet filly-mare sprinters last month in the Minaret, but she figures as very much the one to beat for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. when facing five others in this $51,000 first-level race at 6 1/2 furlongs. Freudian Finish and Free to Fly look like the main opposition.
After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for two days before another five-day race week begins Wednesday. The Sunday forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high of 82.