Three Rules, Cajun Delta Dawn scare off challengers

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Despite purses raised to $500,000 apiece for the In Reality and My Dear Girl stakes next week, the dominance of undefeated division leaders Three Rules and Cajun Delta Dawn figures to severely limit the lineups for the final legs of the Florida Sire Series for 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.

Three Rules is not only unbeaten but untested in four starts. And aside from stablemate Front Loaded, who finished a distant second in the seven-furlong Affirmed, it appears that there are few, if any, trainers eager to take on Three Rules, let alone ship here from out of town to do so, even with such a lucrative purse on the line.

“It’s not like I can call up a Chad Brown or Todd Pletcher and ask them to send someone down here for the race,” said P.J. Campo, vice president of racing and general manager of Gulfstream Park. “First, they have to have a horse eligible for the series.”

Stakes coordinator Mike Costanzo said that aside from Three Rules and Front Loaded, both of whom are trained by Jose Pinchin, there are only 26 other 2-year-old colts and geldings either based locally or stabled throughout the country who are eligible for the Sire Series and have at least one win.

On the fillies’ side of the ledger, the list is a bit larger, with 37 winners eligible for the series, but nearly half are just coming off their maiden victories. They would have to face the formidable Cajun Delta Dawn, who is perfect in four starts, has already won three stakes, and exits the best race of her career, a five-length victory in the seven-furlong Susan’s Girl.

“It looks like we might have some interest from out of town in the My Dear Girl,” said Costanzo. “Brad Cox has a filly named Fleet Dude he said he was considering sending, while there’s also Larryandpearlslucky, a maiden winner last time out at Mountaineer Park, who might also come.”

The 1 1/16-mile In Reality and My Dear Girl highlight next Saturday’s card, which also will include six other stakes, topped by the $150,000 Meadow Star and Foolish Pleasure divisions of the Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds.