Ron Nicoletti (left) and Samantha Perry. (Coglianese Photo)
+ Pletcher Saddles Grand Sonata, Major Dude in Fort Lauderdale (G2)
+ Motion, Clement & Brown Enter Starters in Suwannee River (G3)
+ Nicoletti, Perry Handicap Turf Pick 3
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park plays hosts to five stakes races Saturday, and three of them, including two prep races for Pegasus World Cup Day Jan. 25, will compose the Tropical Turf Pick 3.
The $3 wager, with a low 15-percent takeout and an average payout of more than $1,000, will feature the $140,000 Janus at five furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, the $215,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles, and the $165,000 Suwannee River for fillies and mares at a mile.
Video: Ron Nicoletti, Samantha Perry:
The Janus will kick off the Tropical Turf Pick 3 at approximately 3:54 ET and the Suwannee River will conclude the popular wager at approximately 5:24 ET.
Race 8: $140,000 Janus, 3-year-olds and up, five furlongs
Arzak is 2-1 on the morning line coming off a sixth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Beaten less than two lengths, the Mike Trombetta-trained horse was beaten only two lengths in the Woodford (G2) and won the Shakertown (G2) last spring. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides. Brad Cox sends out both Yes I Am Free, who has 10 wins at the distance, and That’s Right, blinkers off and formerly from the barn of Brittany Russell. Xy Speed, trained by Michael Lerman, is dangerous on firm turf.
Race 10: $215,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2), 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles
A competitive field of nine go to post with Woodbine Mile (G1) winner Win for the Money (5-2, Mark Casse, Dylan Davis), Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) winner Grand Sonata (3-1, Todd Pletcher, Tyler Gaffalione), graded-stakes winner Major Dude (5-1, Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr.), and Mint Millions (G3) runner-up Cash Equity. Graded-stakes winners Fort Washington (8-1, Shug McGaughey, Velazquez) and Emmanuel (10-1, Mike Maker, Javier Castellano) are certainly not impossible. The one to catch could be Saratoga Flash, a winner last out on the front for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
Race 11: $165,000 Suwannee River (G3), fillies and mares, one mile
Another competitive race with a tepid morning-line favorite in Ocean Club, who enters off a victory in the Noble Damsel (G3) Sept. 21 for trainer Jack Sisterson. The daughter of Curlin will be ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, who had ridden the filly to four victories and a second in the six times he’s been aboard. While Ocean Club breaks from the rail, Bless My Sisters will leave from post 12 for Ortiz Jr., while making her first start in North America. The 5-year-old mare was previously campaigned in South Africa, where she won five races including a Group 1. Breath Away was beaten only a head by Ocean Club in the Noble Damsel before finishing in the Forever Together Stakes Nov. 10 at Aqueduct. Christophe Clement trains and Davis ride.
