Turf racing the focus of meet

MIAMI – Racing on the south Florida circuit moves eight miles across town from Gulfstream Park to Gulfstream Park West for the next eight weeks, with the 41-day session set to begin Wednesday.

Racing will be conducted on a Wednesday-through-Sunday basis. Post time during October will be 1:15 p.m. Eastern before being advanced to 12:35 p.m. beginning Nov. 4. Admission and parking are free.

With the meet billed as the Fall Turf Festival, this will be the second year of racing under the Gulfstream Park West banner at the facility formerly known as Calder Race Course. The meet includes 20 stakes races, most on turf, topped by the Grade 3 My Charmer and Grade 3 Tropical Turf on Nov. 21.

Fans will have no access to the main building at Gulfstream Park West. Instead, they will be able to watch and wager on the races at Gulfstream Park West, as well as a limited number of simulcasts, from two tents on the grandstand apron. Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach will remain open throughout the meet to offer wagering on its sister track and a full menu of simulcasting. Racing at Gulfstream Park resumes with the 2015-16 championship meet on Dec. 5.

With the barn area at Palm Meadows – located in Boynton Beach, about 45 miles from the track – remaining open year-round for the first time this season, Gulfstream Park West management is expecting an early influx of Northern-based horsemen to bolster the entry box.

“We’re looking forward to full fields and great racing during the Gulfstream Park West meet,” said P.J. Campo, general manager at Gulfstream Park and vice president of racing for The Stronach Group, which owns Gulfstream and operates the Gulfstream Park West meet. “After the success of last year’s inaugural meet, many horsemen have shipped in early to Gulfstream, Palm Meadows, and other nearby training facilities to participate in the fall meet.”

Campo also noted that Gulfstream Park West is offering some new wagers at this meet, including rolling super high fives, an early pick five, and a late-card quinella.

The racing highlights of the meet include Sunshine Millions Preview Day on Nov. 7, which offers eight stakes topped by the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Classic Preview, and Juvenile Showcase Day on Nov. 28, which includes six stakes for 2-year-olds.

The opening-day 10-race program is highlighted by a $39,000 optional-claiming race at six furlongs that drew a field of 11 fillies and mares led by the undefeated Lucky Switch and the Todd Pletcher-trained New York invader Hopefaithjoy.

Lucky Switch won her only start, rallying from off the pace May 17 to a 3 1/2-length victory. Lucky Switch is trained by Ralph Nicks and will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, both of whom won championships during the recently concluded summer-fall meet at Gulfstream Park.

Hopefaithjoy also is coming off an extended vacation, having been idle since finishing eighth in the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct in January. Hopefaithjoy, an impressive maiden winner last fall at Keeneland, was among the first group of horses Pletcher shipped to his main winter base at Palm Beach Downs this month.