Gulfstream Park opening day recap + January 4th preview
January 3, 2009 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under Breeding, Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Trainers
Gulfstream Park is off to a flying start after fans flocked to the racing venue for Saturday’s strong opening day card.
Delightful Kiss stormed from 14th and last for a going away tally in the 19th running of the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope.
Johnny V booted home a pair, and Wesley Ward saddled two winners on the card, including romping Spectacular Bid winner Notonthesamepage.
Sunday’s feature race is the Grade 3 Old Hat for three-year-old filly sprinters, and all eyes are on Kiaran McLaughlin’s impressive debut winner Elusive Heat. $750k purchase is out of fleet mare Xtra Heat, and she has the speed and raw talent to run these into the ground.
The 5th race will be run at a flat mile on the turf, and I like the looks of Kent D/McPeek runner La Mousse (4-1). The daughter of Vision And Verse broke her maiden impressively at this distance, then fell less than a length short at nine furlongs in her first start versus winners. The stalking type is back at her winning distance and could easily run past these. Note that this jockey/trainer combo hooked up to win yesterday’s grassy 5th race with National Kid.
La Mousse maiden win – Churchill replay
