Tracy Ann's Legacy finds more favorable spot

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Snowbirds were in a semi-panic early this week when overnight lows in South Florida dipped into the 40s. To their relief, a warming trend was expected as the week unfolded, although another cold spell is forecast for Saturday, Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park, when highs will only reach the mid-60s.

Such is life around here in January, when expectations differ from elsewhere on the continent. In a related matter, a high chance of Wednesday rain casts doubt on whether turf racing will be held here Thursday as Gulfstream officials continue to treat the grass course with extra precaution ahead of Pegasus Day – as evidenced by the fact turf racing was moved to the Tapeta eight times during a recent stretch of 11 race days (Jan. 9-23).

That said, a nine-race Thursday program that starts at 12:30 p.m. Eastern will feature a pair of $54,000, first-level allowance sprints restricted to Florida-breds, the first of them carded for five furlongs on turf as race 5. The second allowance (race 8) goes at 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track, while a second race carded for turf, a maiden-special sprint, ends the card as race 9.

:: For the first time ever, our premium past performances are free! Get free Formulator now!

The co-features are part of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (races 4-9), which is expected to offer a gross pool guarantee of at least $500,000, assuming the jackpot wasn’t emptied by a solo winner when a five-day week began Wednesday with an actual carryover $335,038.

Race 5

Tracy Ann’s Legacy was scratched Sunday by Kelly Breen when entered in open allowance company for an optional $25,000 claiming tag. Four days later, she seems to have landed in a much better spot as a 2-1 morning-line favorite when in for an optional $16,000 tag against seven other statebred fillies and mares.

Paco Lopez has the riding assignment on Tracy Ann’s Legacy, a 6-year-old who owns a noteworthy career mark of 11-4-1-4 over the Gulfstream turf. If the race is moved to the Tapeta, the Shackleford mare would lose that home-course edge, as only one of her 31 starts have come on a synthetic surface.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

Harper’s in Charge, adding blinkers, and Nurse Judy, removing blinkers, are among the chief opposition.

Race 8

Hot Peppers, making her first start since being privately purchased by Michael Dubb, is a lukewarm program choice in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies.

Hot Peppers earned a field-high 79 Beyer Speed Figure in a 14 1/4-length romp in a Jan. 6 maiden race when still owned by a partnership that included Ron Spatz, who continues to train the horse for Dubb. The Khozan filly’s first attempt versus winners doesn’t look like a particularly easy spot, with Chasing Happiness, Adiamo, and Kaeko all appearing capable of what would be a mild upset.