Anna’s Promise. (Lauren King)
• March 29 GP Oaks (G2) Possible Return Spot for 3YO Filly
• Thursday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $150,000
Gulfstream Today
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Anna’s Promise, racing first off the claim for William Belford and trainer Carlos David, forged a short lead at the top of the stretch, turned back a bid from Justinqueso mid-way through the lane and edged clear for a determined one-length victory in Thursday’s feature at Gulfstream Park, an effort that could land her in a big spot at the end of the month.
David said the $265,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) will now be part of the conversation moving forward after Anna’s Promise ($15.60) won the optional claiming allowance for 3-year-old fillies in 1:44.38 for 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track.
Scheduled for March 29 on the undercard of the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds, the Gulfstream Park Oaks offers Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis.
“We’ve got to try her in a stake next time. We’ll see.,” David said. “I’ve got to talk to the owner and see where they want to go but she’s a 3-year-old filly, so you know the next spot. We’ve got to dream a little bit and maybe try to get some points next time for the Oaks. She’s definitely talented.”
After going winless in five starts including a previous try around two turns, Anna’s Promise was claimed for $62,500 out of her graduation going seven furlongs Feb. 5, her first race since late November.
“I have to give it up to my owner. He picked her. He called me and said he liked this filly. He watched the replays. I told him we can go look at her,” David said. “She was dropping a little bit in class, small field, it makes sense. She won that day, and we were excited to get her. We won a two-way shake and she’s done everything right since. We were looking at a short race initially and that didn’t go so we ended up in the long race, and it turned out to be a good spot.”
Anna’s Promise and jockey Luis Saez pressed pacesetter Blueberry Hill sent off the 4-5 favorite in a field of seven, through splits of 23.51 and 47.61 seconds, taking over the top spot on the far turn. Engaged by Justinqueso almost immediately, the top two raced side-by-side down the lane with a resurgent Anna’s Promise prevailing.
“She battled on,” David said. “It’s a tough spot to be at the quarter pole when you’re on the inside and the horse is coming on the outside. They usually breeze through, and she fought on and galloped stronger and stronger. It’s nice. You get excited when you see these types of horses going long like this.”
Thursday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $150,000
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 will have an estimated jackpot pool of $150,000 when racing resumes Friday at Gulfstream Park.
Post time for the first of nine races is 12:50 p.m.
Friday’s sequence spans Races 4-9, starting with a 5 ½-furlong claimer on the all-weather Tapeta course for 3-year-old maidens. Neshume adds blinkers seeking to break through after three seconds and a third in seven starts.
The feature comes in Race 8, an optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds sprinting five furlongs on the Tapeta. Boundfortrouble races for the first time as a gelding after running second in a similar spot Jan. 9, his first start in seven months. Making his season debut is Most Handsome, winner of the Hollywood Beach at the course and distance Sept. 28.
In the Rainbow 6, the jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.
Who’s Hot ~ ~ ~
Jockey Luis Saez registered back-to-back wins Thursday with Starship Melody ($11) for trainer Heather Smullen in Race 6 and Anna’s Promise ($15.60) for trainer Carlos David in Race 7.
