The GP Turf Sprint (Grade 3)- $125.000 Purse
GP- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Five Furlongs on the Turf
February 10, 2024

After nearly winning the BC Turf Sprint and settling for second, Bluesman made his way to GP to run in the similarly named GP Turf Sprint to kick off his seven-year-old sending. There would be a couple of others here as well that had a strong BC race, but Bluesman still seemed to be the horse the beat. The betting public made Norski Raider, the BC’s third place finisher a slight favorite over Bluesman, and there was not really anything wrong with that. Norski Raider would disappoint his supporters, but Bluesman would not, picking up the win which is the tenth of his career. He is trained by Spankys Barn and was ridden by J Bravo, and for each, it is their first win in this race. Congratulations to them! The time of the race was :56.33, which is not one of the quicker times but was all that was needed. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :22.18)- Four of them vie for the early lead as we move into the turn, and from the outside, it is Norski Raider looking good for now for Mb Stables. He has Maxmillion Farm’s Proud Bo within a half-length right to his inside and to that one’s inside is our eventual winner from Spankys Barn, Bluesman. Also with the lead group, and running on the rail, is the Night Rider Stables- trained Antimatter. Stalking them in the middle of the pack are American Generals (Blazin D) and Grandish (Team 7 Illusions). A little further back are Brighter Days Ahead (Luz International) and Grand Ag (Arkansas Elite) while Training Wheels (Gdp Inc) is at the back.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Completing the run around the turn, Bluesman battles it out with Proud Bo and Norski Raider while Antimatter tries to keep pace. It will be Bluesman and Proud Bo looking better than the other two entering the stretch, with not much separating them here. Grandish and American Generals were still only a length behind these horses, but the only option they’d have to make a run for the win was to push it to the far outside. That’s the plan for Brighter Days Ahead, who is a length behind them. Grand Ag and Training Wheels are still at the back but still in striking range if they have a run coming.

(Finish- :56.33)- Early in the stretch, the battle between Bluesman and Proud Bo is a good one, but as we get closer to the wire, Bluesman is able to inch ahead just enough as he goes on to beat Proud Bo in a photo. A late run by Training Wheels, who had plenty of room to run on the rail got his trainer’s hopes up for a bit, but he has to settle for third. Brighter Days Ahead gets the final cut of the purse, narrowly over Grandish and Antimatter. The final three are Norski Raider, American Generals, and Grand Ag.

About The Winner- Bluesman, trained by Spankys Barn and ridden to victory by J Bravo, is a seven-year-old gelding by Aggravation and is out of Black Moon Laffin. He was bred as a yearling by John Henry in New Mexico and was acquired by Spankys Barn via Iolaus Racing in private sales for $30.010 in September 2022. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his tenth in 36 starts, and his second stake win, each of which are graded. His career earnings are now $773.620.

Track: Firm
Time: :22  :44⁴  :56¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 4 Paid 56.50
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 4 – 2 Paid 74.80

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES