Trip Notes for February 27: Fountain of Youth, Davona Dale, Palm Beach, and more...

Saturday, February 27

Gulfstream - Gulfstream Park Sprint (race 4)

COMMENT: The margin may not have been as big as in his three prior wins, but X Y Jet did all the hard work and kept on going for the win, punching his ticket for the Grade 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen later in March. He bobbled at the start but still shot out to set sizzling splits of 21.84 and 43.92 under pressure from Trouble Kid, dispatched with that foe into the lane while opening up a clear lead, and kept Candip at bay while tiring through the final furlong. Candip was coming off a career-best win here Jan. 27 (103 Beyer), and he validated that run. He sat third from the start, came out coming into the lane, and doggedly kept after the winner. Ready for Rye, making his first start setting a hot pace and fading to seventh in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Oct. 31, bobbled at the start and sat fifth early, made a threatening move into the lane, but couldn’t sustain it.

Gulfstream - Davona Dale (race 5)

COMMENT: Cathryn Sophia made it four romping wins in as many starts here and laid claim to the second spot in the division behind. She stalked the pace made by dueling Dearest and R Girls a Charmer, moved up easily turning for home, grabbed command, and drew off to win without really being asked. All that being said, she had every advantage here as her main foe Lewis Bay was making her first start in three months. Lewis Bay, making her first start since a win in the Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct Nov. 28, was last early, steadily advanced, came home decently but was never on the winner’s radar. She likely prefers more ground. Dearest, stepping up after two easy wins to start her career, dueled with R Girls a Charmer while inside, was getting the better of that rival when Cathryn Sophia stormed pace, kept to her task to midstretch, but then weakened to get beat out for second.

Gulfstream - Herecomesthebride (race 6)

COMMENT: There was no doubt that Catch a Glimpse was the best turf 2-year-old filly last year off her big win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. In her first start since, she indicated that she could maintain that ranking as a 3-year-old by dispatching her overmatched rivals here. She sat second just behind early pacesetter Vieja Luna, crept closer going down the backstretch, took over while still seemingly well in hand going to the far turn, stayed wide and clear, and drew off to win comfortably. Lira, winner of her first three starts including two stakes, all on turf, sat just behind the winner from the start, tried to move with her, but couldn’t keep pace in the lane. Gone Away was just behind the top two and chased gamely but wasn’t good enough.

Gulfstream - Canadian Turf (race 8)

COMMENT: Heart to Heart continued his push into the upper ranks of the turf miler division, notching his third straight win and his fourth in his last five starts. Off since winning the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale (where he beat Lukes Alley who came back to win the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf), he shot right out to the lead, but didn’t go terribly fast while keeping the field are arm’s length. He was asked for run into the lane and quickly opened up. Long on Value ran the best race of his career (104 Beyer) when winning this last year, and again showed he likes this place. Making just his second start here and his first of any kind since last June, he stalked in third, tried to make a run at the winner turning for home, was no match for that foe, but stayed on to just get second over a couple rivals. Divisidero, among the top 3-year-old male turfers last year and making his first start of 2016, was well back turning for home, swung wide for clear sailing, and finished smartly. This was an encouraging first run back after almost eight months. Avanzare, a multiple Grade 2 winner in Southern California last year, chased the winner, tried to make a run at him into the lane, then weakened a bit in the final half furlong to narrowly lose second.

Gulfstream - Palm Beach (race 11)

COMMENT: Converge was favored despite the fact this was his first start since running second in the Awad on Belmont turf Oct. 30, and he made the bettors look smart. He was away slowly, was well back early, and steadily advanced to midpack at the top of the lane. He commenced a strong run, moved inside for room, and got up for the win. Giant Run, a maiden winner on this course Jan. 2, dogged pacesetting longshot American Phantom, got the better of that foe into the lane, battled back when hooked by the winner, but just couldn’t stick with that foe late. Ousby lagged back, came with a smart run into the lane, had to steady and wait for room, but got going again to finish well. J R’s Holiday and Gimlet were both far back early before running on well for fourth and fifth.

Gulfstream - Fountain of Youth (race 12)

COMMENT: Mohaymen confirmed his status as one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby with a handy win. Sent off at 2-5, he bided his time early as Awesome Banner set a modest pace, and followed Zulu while between horses down the backstretch. Mohaymen steadily advanced to the far turn while outside of Zulu, got the better of that foe coming into the lane, and finished smartly for the easy win. Remember, though, he had the edge in seasoning and route experience over Zulu, and those advantages will be minimized if they meet again in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. Zulu, winner of his first two starts, both sprints, showed the expected speed to dog Awesome Banner from the start, took over from that rival nearing the half-mile pole, and was immediately confronted by Mohaymen. Zulu battled back to the top of the lane, couldn’t stay with that foe in the final furlong, but ended up well clear of third. Considering this was his first route and first stakes try it was awfully good – though whether he can move forward enough to beat Mohaymen and champion Nyquist come the Florida Derby is another matter. Fellowship, well beaten by Mohaymen when third in the Grade 2 Holy Bull here Jan. 30, sat last early, started a run on the far turn, and finished decently but was never a danger to the top two. Awesome Speed, winner of the Mucho Macho Man here Jan. 2, got slammed out of the gate by longshot Golden Ray, recovered to get a nice trip stalking the pace, but got shuffled back while wide on the far turn. Awesome Banner won his first three starts, all sprints, including the Grade 3 Hutcheson and Grade 3 Swale. He set a solid pace, took some pressure from Zulu, but gave way readily once headed going to the far turn in a disappointing try.