Winter Dawn one to watch in 2015 debut
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Winter Dawn, who took the measure of the Grade 1-placed Feathered when the pair debuted at Saratoga in August, will kick off her 3-year-old campaign in Saturday’s $44,000 optional-claiming feature at six furlongs at Gulfstream Park.
Winter Dawn forced the pace before outgaming the 3-5 Feathered by a head for trainer Wayne Catalano at the Spa. She made just one more start at 2, finishing far back after showing brief speed over a very sloppy track in the Grade 1 Spinaway.
Winter Dawn, a daughter of Sky Mesa, is now trained by Lars Becdelamotte, a former assistant to Catalano who went out on his own this year.
“Wayne basically helped me get the job with these owners,” said Becdelamotte. “He’s the one who put me in contact with these people, and I have six horses for them now. This filly had some sort of illness after the Spinaway, and they did the right thing with her and gave her enough time. We were hoping to make the Davona Dale, but I didn’t think she was ready at the time.”
A field of 11 3-year-old fillies will contest the race, which replaces the Bull Gator, an overnight stakes for older horses that did not fill, as the main event on Saturday’s card.
Key contenders
Winter Dawn (Beyers: 32-79)
◗ She’s trained forwardly at Gulfstream Park since mid-March.
“I really think she’s where she needs to be right now,” said Becdelamotte.
Little Miss Julia (Last 3 Beyers: 81-65-71)
◗ She posted the highest last-race Beyer, 81, of any member of this field, finishing second behind the red-hot Fond of Sarah on Feb. 20.
◗ She’s changed hands since that race, moving from trainer Carlo Vaccarezza to George Weaver.
Distinta (Last 3 Beyers: 52-67-80)
◗ She receives much-needed class relief after finishing off the board in a pair of Grade 2 stakes following her maiden win.
Huasca (Last 3 Beyers: 67-81-72)
◗ She raced against a strong track bias, contesting the early pace over a tiring strip before finishing third as the odds-on favorite going seven furlongs March 29.