Blueberry delivered a slight upset in Saturday’s GP Turf Sprint, overcoming morning line odds that placed him as a mild outsider in the competitive eleven-horse field. The five-year-old gelding by Breath Of The Wild had shown promise in New York statebred company but faced his toughest test against open graded stakes competition. Racing for owner Luz International with Jose Ortiz aboard, Blueberry proved equal to the task, displaying tactical brilliance and a devastating late kick to capture the $150.000 stakes at five furlongs on firm turf. The victory marked his most significant accomplishment to date and validated connections’ decision to step him up in class after his New York Turf Sprint Championship triumph last October.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the GP Turf Sprint, Brit Style broke alertly to establish early positioning, but it was Blueberry who showed surprising gate speed to grab the early advantage through a sharp opening quarter in :22 seconds. Nitro broke well and settled into tracking position just behind the leader, while Sorcerer and Operation Mongoose also showed tactical speed to position themselves within striking distance. Bayldonite found himself shuffled back to mid-pack in the early stages, with Little Tiger settling just ahead of him. Brit Style continued to maintain contact with the leaders, while Man In A Box raced in the second flight. Mosquito, Count The Cash, and In A Love Song brought up the rear of the field in the early going.

Through the half-mile in :44.3 seconds, Blueberry continued to show the way under confident handling from Ortiz, maintaining a narrow advantage while being pressured by Nitro on his outside. Brit Style advanced closer to the front-runners, positioning himself for a strike. Sorcerer maintained his tracking position in fourth, with Little Tiger moving into contention. Bayldonite began to make ground from his mid-pack position, while Operation Mongoose looked to improve his position from just off the pace. Man In A Box continued his steady run in the second division, with Mosquito starting to make a move from the back of the pack.

Approaching the stretch after five furlongs in :55.4 seconds, the race developed into a thrilling battle for supremacy. Blueberry maintained his slim advantage as Ortiz asked him for his best effort. Nitro continued to press with determination, moving to challenge for the lead under Centeno. Little Tiger launched his bid with Velazquez in the saddle, moving powerfully from just off the pace. Brit Style remained in contention, though unable to quicken as expected. Sorcerer stayed close but could not threaten the leaders. Bayldonite made steady progress but found himself outrun by the front-runners. Operation Mongoose failed to fire his usual kick and fell back through the field.

In the final furlong, Blueberry dug in gamely under Ortiz’s urging, refusing to yield the advantage he had established. Nitro battled courageously to his outside, getting to within a nose at one point but unable to wear down the determined leader. Little Tiger finished with excellent energy but had left himself too much to do, closing strongly for third. Brit Style held fourth after his prominent early position. Bayldonite finished fifth after improving his position from mid-pack. Sorcerer stayed on for sixth. Man In A Box completed the course in seventh. Mosquito finished eighth after his late bid proved insufficient. Operation Mongoose disappointed in ninth after his recent Janus Stakes victory. Count The Cash finished tenth in his first graded stakes attempt. In A Love Song trailed the field throughout to finish eleventh.

Race Recap

The GP Turf Sprint delivered unexpected drama as Blueberry controlled the pace from start to finish, holding off the determined challenge of Nitro in the final strides. The five-year-old gelding demonstrated both tactical speed and tenacity, qualities that served him well in his most demanding test to date. Jose Ortiz rode with supreme confidence, establishing position early and never relinquishing control despite sustained pressure throughout the race. The final time of :55.95 for five furlongs on firm turf was solid considering the competitive nature of the contest.

Nitro ran a creditable race in defeat, showing his versatility by returning to turf after his recent dirt campaign. The gelding pressed the pace throughout and battled gamely in the stretch, finishing just a nose behind the winner. His effort suggests he has found his preferred surface and distance. Little Tiger closed powerfully from off the pace to secure third, demonstrating his class despite the cutback in distance from his recent Grade 2 Hernandez Stakes victory at 6 1/2 furlongs. Brit Style failed to replicate his Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint form, finishing fourth after being unable to quicken when asked. Bayldonite improved from his mid-pack position to finish fifth but never threatened the leaders.

Sorcerer disappointed as one of the favorites, finishing sixth after failing to produce his typical late kick. Man In A Box completed a respectable seventh in his first sprint attempt after campaigning exclusively at route distances. Mosquito finished eighth after making a late move that proved too little, too late. Operation Mongoose endured a puzzling defeat after his recent Janus Stakes victory at this track and distance, finishing ninth. Count The Cash gained valuable experience in tenth. In A Love Song never factored, trailing throughout to finish eleventh.

The victory opens numerous options for Blueberry, including possible starts in other prestigious turf sprint stakes throughout the winter and spring circuit. Connections may also consider keeping him in Florida for additional opportunities at Gulfstream Park, where he clearly handles the course well.

Each Runner Mentioned

Blueberry delivered the performance of his career, demonstrating gate speed, tactical awareness, and courage under pressure to capture the GP Turf Sprint. The bay gelding by Breath Of The Wild out of Gairwolfe was bred by Smokey Stover in New York and is now owned by Luz International. With lifetime earnings now standing at $337.860 from 15 starts that include five victories, Blueberry has established himself as a legitimate player in the turf sprint division.

Nitro ran an excellent race in defeat, pressing the pace throughout and battling gamely in the final furlong. His effort demonstrated his versatility and suggests continued success on turf at sprint distances.

Little Tiger closed powerfully to secure third place, showing his class despite the significant cutback in distance from his recent Grade 2 victory. The eight-year-old veteran remains a formidable competitor in turf sprint stakes.

Brit Style could not reproduce his Breeders’ Cup form, finishing fourth after being unable to quicken when called upon in the stretch. The effort raises questions about his current condition.

Bayldonite made steady progress from mid-pack to finish fifth, but never posed a serious threat to the leaders in this competitive stakes race.

Sorcerer disappointed as one of the betting favorites, failing to produce his typical late kick and finishing a well-beaten sixth.

Man In A Box gained valuable experience in his first sprint attempt, finishing a respectable seventh after campaigning exclusively at route distances throughout his career.

Mosquito made a late move that proved insufficient, finishing eighth after his recent Grade 2 Hernandez Stakes effort.

Operation Mongoose endured a disappointing ninth-place finish after his recent Janus Stakes victory at this track and distance, raising questions about his current form.

Count The Cash gained valuable graded stakes experience in his tenth-place finish, his first attempt beyond allowance company.

In A Love Song never factored in the race, trailing the field throughout to finish eleventh in his first stakes attempt since moving to new connections.

Track: Firm
Time: :22  :44³  :55⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 10 – 3 Paid 186.50
$1 Trifecta: 10 – 3 – 5 Paid 1,196.90

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded