HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Silverton Hill LLC’s Red Danger, a runner-up in the Street Sense Stakes over Churchill Downs main track last time out, made a victorious return to turf in Friday’s $75,000 Pulpit at Gulfstream Park.
The Pulpit, a mile turf stakes for 2-year-olds, co-headlined the opening day of the 2021-2022 Championship Meet with the $75,000 Wait a While, a mile turf stakes for juvenile fillies.
Red Danger’s hard-fought victory opens up the possibility that trainer Brian Lynch could decide to point the son of 2013 Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb toward Gulfstream’s upcoming stakes for 3-year-olds on dirt.
“It’s a pipe dream. Is he as good as some of the others right now? That quest is here to be answered,” Lynch said. “But he’s as honest as they come and a model of consistency. He’s an honest horse that brings it every time. Today, we’ll just enjoy today.”
Red Danger, the 4-5 favorite, settled in mid-pack under Julien Leparoux before making a sweeping move on the turn into the homestretch to set up a winning stretch drive, during which he gamely passed pacesetter Biz Biz Buzz and held off an outside challenge from Speaking Scout and jockey Tyler Gaffalione by a head.
“You have to love a little horse that tries has hard as he does and brings it every time you lead him over there,” Lynch said. “It’s a nice way to start the Championship Meet. He’s our first runner and it’s nice that it was in a stake.”
Red Danger, who broke his maiden on turf and won the Kentucky Downs’ Juvenile Sprint on turf, ran second behind Howling Time in the 1 1/16-mile Street Sense on dirt.
“That’s the main thing with him, he just keeps fighting. He’s probably a better grass horse, but even on the dirt last time he tried hard and dug in and ran a great second,” said Leparoux. “He’s a trier, for sure.”
Red Danger prevailed in the Pulpit despite Leparoux dropping his crop in mid-stretch.
“It was great to see him pull this off. He’s battled hard for a few good wins all year against good company,” Lynch said. “Julien said he dropped his whip. He might have been better off. He might have learned something.”
Runner-up Speaking Scout finished 1 ½ lengths clear of Biz Biz Buzz.
Press Release : Gulfstream
Photo Credit: Gulfstream Park Photo
