An evenly matched field of 11 has been entered in the Grade 3 Flamingo Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The distance of the race is one mile and an eighth and it will be the 11th race on the Hialeah at Gulfstream card.
The probable favorite of the race is Trippi, an undefeated son of End Sweep conditioned by Todd Pletcher. He comes off a hard fought victory in the Grade 3 Swale Stakes. He is undefeated in three starts and tries a route for the first time. He drew the rail and adds Lasix for the first time. He will be ridden by Eibar Coa.
1ST RACE — Double Character broke well and battled with Belle’s Tiger for the early lead. He put that one away and then held off all challengers to win under Randi Persaud. Jee Sandy stalked the pace and then had to alter course in the stretch but still finished second. First time starter Jimeric was full of run in the stretch drive and was weaving in and out of traffic to find clear run. He steadied slightly and had to settle for fourth. Of all the firsters in the race, he looks to be the one with the best future so far.
2ND RACE — Rarelenda was bet down to even money as she was dropping from allowance company back to the claiming ranks. She was in good position early but then fell back to fifth. She raced wide throughout and ran evenly in the stretch while drifting out to finish a non-threatening fifth.
5TH RACE — Before My Time broke in the air and trailed the field early. She then rushed up to press the leaders while racing wide on the turn. But then she flattened out in the stretch drive to finish third.
6TH RACE — Smart Ladys Friend broke well and set the pace but received unexpected early pressure from West To East. La Ville Rouge stalked the early leaders while saving ground. Shashobegon made a three wide move towards the leaders while La Ville Rouge fell back to last. In the stretch, Shashobegon took the lead while La Ville Rouge angled out for the stretch drive. La Ville Rouge battled with Shashobegon but could not get by her for the victory.
7TH RACE — Double Conquest stalked pacesetters Wild Appeal and Thunders Luck while saving ground on the rail. He remained there into the stretch drive when Wild Appeal started to pull away from the field. Double Conquest followed him and then angled slightly outside to make a run at the leader. But Double Conquest never changed leads in the stretch drive and finished an easy second. Boo Boo Bear raced in between horses and then was bumped on the far turn. But he recovered quickly and made a good run to finish third. Foreign Vengeance raced wide throughout and finished fourth.
8TH RACE — Full Bore was far back early in last but started to make a nice run on the rail on the far turn. In the stretch the pacesetters started to tire and Norberto Arroyo Jr. had Full Bore in a hard drive on the rail. He went by the pacesetters and appeared to have the lead near the wire. But Silver Magistrate, who stalked the early pace, angled outside in the stretch and was also making his run. At the wire Silver Magistrate had the most momentum and nosed out Full Bore for the victory. Bold Pic rated off the pace and made a three wide move towards the leaders. He went by the pacesetters but couldn’t hold off the two closers.
9TH RACE –Watchmenow made a three wide move entering the far turn to gain the lead and then held off a determined Flights End to win his second start in a row under Jason Jago. Flights End stalked the pace and ran well in the stretch to finish second.
YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS
2ND RACE: Rarelenda ($18,000) by Mike Miceli
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 7-7-1-5-2-4
8 winners each receives $3,972
170 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $62
No carryover.