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Tarantino
In just three races, Tarantino has shown the promise of a future turf star, but his connections are hoping that the Triple Crown will be in the future of the son of Pioneerof the Nile following Saturday s $200,000 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Tarantino, who is a nose away from being undefeated, is scheduled to make his debut on dirt in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds on the Road to the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill n Dale at Xalapa.
“He s been breezing well enough on the dirt. He s not a show-er in the morning, but I m lucky enough where I can get on him myself. We felt that his works are good enough where we can give him a try,” trainer Rodolphe Brisset said. “Like I say, he s not a show-er but he does enough where we feel comfortable giving him a try and finding out, sooner than later, if he wants the dirt or not.”
Weekend Lineup: Derby Points On The Line In Holy Bull, Bob Lewis Sponsored by:
Prime Factor won his career debut under wraps for trainer Todd Pletcher
Throughout the year, the NTRA will provide a guide to the best stakes races in North America and beyond. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews when available can be found through the link for each race.
A pair of Kentucky Derby qualifying races are on tap this weekend. The 1 1/16-miles, Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes will headline a 12-race program at Gulfstream Park with five graded stakes worth $600,000 in purses while Santa Anita Park hosts the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Both preps offer qualifying points for the 147th Derby on May 1 to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale.
Bargain Buy Competitive Speed Puts Three-Race Win Streak On The Line In Forward Gal Sponsored by:
Competitive Speed wins the Glitter Woman Stakes
John Minchello s Competitive Speed, a bargain $5,000 juvenile purchase turned stakes winner in less than a year, will put her three-race win streak on the line when she tries graded company for the first time in Saturday s $100,000 Forward Gal (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
The 39th running of the seven-furlong Forward Gal for 3-year-old fillies is among five graded-stakes worth $600,000 in purses on a 12-race program highlighted by the $200,000 Holy Bull (G3), Gulfstream s next step for 3-year-olds on the road to the Florida Derby (G1).
Venezuelan Hug, Bienville Street Score Sunshine Turf Victories At Gulfstream Park Sponsored by:
Venezuelan Hug winning the Sunshine Turf under Luis Saez
Spedale Family Racing LLC and R.A. Hill Stable s Venezuelan Hug, the 5-2 favorite under jockey Luis Saez, moved four-wide entering the stretch before driving past the leaders to win the $75,000 Sunshine Turf over Shamrocket Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
A 4-year-old colt by Florida Derby (G1) winner Constitution, Venezuelan Hug covered a firm 1 1 /16 miles in 1:40.02. It was the colt s fifth victory in nine starts. He previously won the Sunshine Turf Preview Nov. 21 at Gulfstream West and last summer an allowance race at Saratoga. Venezuelan Hug was claimed for $40,000 at Gulfstream last March.
Stronach 5: 16 Winning Tickets Each Return $6,382 Sponsored by:
There were 16 winning tickets in Friday s popular Stronach 5, each returning $6,382.70.
The largest payoff in the five-race sequence featuring races from Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park and an industry-low 12-percent takeout was $9.20.
Friday s sequence kicked off with Wonderwall, a 3-year-old filly from the barn of leading trainer Claudio Gonzalez, winning Laurel s eighth race followed by Candygramformongo winning Laurel s ninth race.
The Stronach 5 moved to Santa Anita Park for its third race. Reddam Racing LLC s That Corey, a 3-year-old son of Square Eddie who finished second at Del Mar last time out, ran away from nine others on a mile turf course to break his maiden.