The $150.000 GP Turf Sprint Stakes takes place at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 24, 2026, presenting a five-furlong test on the turf course for four-year-old and upward colts and geldings. Among connections with previous success, Maxmillion Farm has captured two editions (2015, 2025), while Santan Stables won twice with Jubilant Outburst (2016, 2017). Joel Rosario, John Velazquez, and Rafael Bejarano have each won this race multiple times.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Bayldonite represents The Sidley Stud with Rafael Bejarano (8/1 odds) in the irons. This bay five-year-old horse by Breath Of The Wild has won five of 16 career starts while earning $479.590, posting his best speed figure of 102. His most recent outing on November 1 at Del Mar saw him finish eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at five furlongs after racing in mid-pack, carrying 126 pounds. Prior to that on October 4, he won the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine on turf at five furlongs by a head after tracking the pace, carrying 123 pounds. Earlier on August 30, he finished second in the Grade 3 Goldikova Handicap at Del Mar, and on July 19, he finished fourth in the $100.000 Hill Street Stakes at Monmouth Park. He also won the $100.000 Get Serious Stakes at Monmouth Park. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a six-furlong turf work in 1:09.4 at Parx Racing on January 12. His proven class in graded stakes on turf and recent Grade 2 victory make him a legitimate threat, though his eighth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup raises questions about whether he can compete with the division’s absolute elite.
Operation Mongoose represents Maxmillion Farm with Mario Gutierrez (5/1 odds) guiding this bay seven-year-old gelding by Illusions. With 13 wins from 32 career starts and earnings of $528.050, he brings excellent credentials to this assignment. His most recent outing on December 20 at Gulfstream Park saw him capture the $125.000 Janus Stakes at five furlongs on turf by a nose after pressing the pace, carrying 123 pounds. Prior to that on November 1, he finished 12th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at one mile on turf. Earlier on October 4, he won the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine at five furlongs by a head. He also placed in the Grade 3 Mount Pleasant Mile and Grade 2 Troy Stakes. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet five-furlong turf work in 57.1 seconds at Gulfstream Park on January 19. His recent victory in the Janus Stakes at this exact track and distance, proven class in graded stakes, and tactical speed make him a serious threat to capture this stakes.
Nitro brings solid credentials for The Sidley Stud with Drayden Centeno (20/1 odds) aboard this bay five-year-old gelding by Dehara. With four wins from 17 career starts and earnings of $101.880, he enters off an eighth-place finish on November 2 in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Stakes at Aqueduct on dirt at six furlongs, carrying 124 pounds. Prior to that on August 31, he won the $100.000 Rumson Stakes at Monmouth Park on dirt at five furlongs by a neck, carrying 124 pounds. Earlier on July 26, he won at Fairmount Park on dirt, and he also won an allowance race. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a six-furlong work in 1:10.2 at Parx Racing on January 13. While he’s shown flashes of ability in stakes company on dirt, his complete lack of turf experience except for one non-threatening effort and the surface switch from dirt to turf present major obstacles against proven turf specialists.
Brit Style completes the field for Lemax Farms with Sheldon Elliott (7/2 odds) riding this bay five-year-old gelding by Southern Style. With six wins from 25 career starts and earnings of $923.860, he enters off a fourth-place finish on December 20 in the Janus Stakes at Gulfstream Park on turf at five furlongs, carrying 123 pounds. Prior to that on November 1, he won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on turf at five furlongs by a head after pressing the pace, carrying 126 pounds. Earlier on September 27, he finished fourth in the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at Santa Anita on turf, and on August 30, he won the Grade 3 Goldikova Handicap at Del Mar on turf at five furlongs by 1 1/4 lengths. He also won the $100.000 Wicker Stakes at Del Mar and an optional claiming race at Monmouth Park. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet five-furlong turf work in 57.1 seconds at Tampa Bay Downs on January 15. His proven effectiveness at this exact distance with his Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint victory, tactical speed, and consistent form make him the horse to beat despite finishing fourth in his last start.
Little Tiger represents Temulac Farm with John Velazquez (4/1 odds) guiding this bay eight-year-old gelding by O Ke Kanaka Kaua. With seven wins from 16 career starts and earnings of $1,052.080, he brings exceptional credentials to this assignment. His most recent outing on December 27 at Santa Anita saw him capture the Grade 2 Hernandez Stakes on soft turf at 6 1/2 furlongs by 3/4 lengths after pressing the pace, carrying 124 pounds. He was auctioned for $17.010 in mid-December. Prior to that on November 1, he finished sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Earlier on October 4, he won the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland on turf at 5 1/2 furlongs by one length, and on August 30, he finished sixth in the Grade 2 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint. He also won the Grade 2 Troy Stakes at Saratoga. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a six-furlong turf work in 1:09.4 at Keeneland on January 13. His proven class at the highest levels with multiple Grade 2 victories and tactical versatility make him a serious threat, though the cutback from 6 1/2 furlongs to five furlongs raises questions about whether he can handle this sprint distance.
Mosquito represents Spankys Barn with Tyler Gaffalione (15/1 odds) riding this bay six-year-old gelding by Aggravation. With eight wins from 24 career starts and earnings of $574.090, he enters off a fourth-place finish on December 27 in the Grade 2 Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita on soft turf at 6 1/2 furlongs, carrying 124 pounds. Prior to that on November 1, he finished 11th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Earlier on September 27, he finished sixth in the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint, and on June 14, he won the Grade 3 Dayton Stakes at Santa Anita on turf at 6 1/2 furlongs by a nose. He also placed in the Grade 2 Troy Stakes Sprint. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet six-furlong turf work in 1:08.1 at Santa Anita on January 14. While he’s shown quality form with a Grade 3 victory and consistent placings in graded stakes, his modest recent form with an 11th and fourth in his last two starts raises questions about whether he can compete with the top contenders.
Man In A Box represents Nakamura Stables with Irad Castillo (30/1 odds) guiding this bay four-year-old gelding by Rolodex Warrior. With four wins from 16 career starts and earnings of $354.160, he enters off a second-place finish on December 28 at Tampa Bay Downs on turf at 1 1/16 miles in optional claiming company, carrying 116 pounds. Prior to that on November 28, he finished third at Tampa Bay Downs on turf at 1 1/16 miles in optional claiming company. Earlier efforts include placings in the Gun Runner Stakes and Grade 3 Manila Stakes. He also won the $100.000 Murphy Stakes at Pimlico. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a six-furlong turf work in 1:09.1 at Gulfstream Park on January 18. While he’s shown some ability in stakes company, his best performances have come at route distances of one mile and beyond, and the significant cutback to five furlongs raises serious questions about whether he can handle this sprint distance.
Sorcerer brings strong credentials for Mb Stables with Paco Lopez (6/1 odds) aboard this bay five-year-old gelding by Aces Full. With six wins from 20 career starts and earnings of $1,482.280, he enters off a ninth-place finish on November 1 in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on turf at five furlongs, carrying 126 pounds. Prior to that on October 4, he finished fourth in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine on turf at five furlongs. Earlier on August 30, he won the Grade 2 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint on turf at six furlongs by 1/2 lengths, and on August 3, he finished third in the Grade 2 Troy Stakes at Saratoga. He also won an optional claiming race at Parx Racing and Louisiana Downs. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a five-furlong turf work in 1:01 at Parx Racing on January 17. His proven effectiveness at sprint distances on turf with his Grade 2 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint victory and tactical speed make him a legitimate threat, though his ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup raises questions about his current form.
In A Love Song represents Axeman with Brian Curtis (12/1 odds) riding this bay seven-year-old gelding by Years Gone Bye. With 11 wins from 36 career starts and earnings of $199.980, he enters off a second-place finish on December 26 at Santa Anita on soft turf at 6 1/2 furlongs in claiming company, carrying 124 pounds. Prior to that on November 29, he won at Churchill Downs on soft turf at five furlongs by a neck in allowance company. Earlier on October 30, he won at Aqueduct on good turf at six furlongs by 1 1/4 lengths in claiming company, and on September 28, he finished second at Santa Anita on turf in optional claiming company. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet six-furlong turf work in 1:09.3 at Gulfstream Park on January 19. While he’s shown consistent form on turf with recent victories, his claiming-level background and modest earnings suggest he faces a significant challenge against proven graded stakes runners.
Blueberry represents Luz International with Jose Ortiz (10/1 odds) guiding this bay five-year-old gelding by Breath Of The Wild. With four wins from 14 career starts and earnings of $247.860, he enters off a victory on October 25 in the $200.000 New York Turf Sprint Championship at Aqueduct on turf at six furlongs by a neck in State Bred company, carrying 124 pounds. Prior to that on September 18, he won at Aqueduct on turf at six furlongs by two lengths in optional claiming company. Earlier efforts include placings in statebred optional claiming races and a victory in an allowance race. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a bullet five-furlong turf work in 58 seconds at Houston on January 2. While he’s shown quality form with a stakes victory in New York statebred company, his limited experience against open company and the significant step up in class raise questions about whether he can compete with proven graded stakes runners.
Count The Cash completes the field for Riggins Racing with Jaime Rodriguez (25/1 odds) aboard this black four-year-old gelding by Count The Stars. With three wins from five career starts and earnings of $48.290, he enters off a victory on November 1 at Churchill Downs on turf at five furlongs by two lengths in allowance company, carrying 120 pounds. Prior to that on July 19, he won at Ellis Park on turf at 5 1/2 furlongs by 1 1/4 lengths in allowance company. He also won his maiden at Houston. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a six-furlong turf work in 1:10 at Santa Anita on January 13. While he’s shown flashes of ability with three victories from five starts, his limited experience with just five career races and complete lack of graded stakes experience suggest he faces a major challenge against proven stakes runners in this competitive field.
Pace Scenario and Prediction
The pace structure should develop with Brit Style, Operation Mongoose, and Bayldonite likely battling for the early lead, all having demonstrated consistent gate speed and the ability to control the tempo from the front on turf. Sorcerer, Little Tiger, and Mosquito have shown tactical speed to press the pace or stalk just behind the leaders, while In A Love Song, Blueberry, Man In A Box, Nitro, and Count The Cash will likely settle in mid-pack or come from off the pace before attempting their late rallies.
The projected winner is Brit Style, who brings the best combination of proven class at the highest level, tactical speed, and proven effectiveness at this exact distance to this assignment. His Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint victory demonstrated his superiority against the best turf sprinters in the world, and while he finished fourth in his last start in the Janus Stakes, that race should have tightened him perfectly for this assignment. With Elliott able to position him perfectly near or on the early pace before unleashing his late kick, Brit Style should have every opportunity to return to winning form. Operation Mongoose appears the most dangerous threat with his recent victory in the Janus Stakes at this exact track and distance and proven class in graded stakes. Little Tiger could factor with his recent Grade 2 Hernandez Stakes victory and tactical speed, while Bayldonite, Sorcerer, and Mosquito round out the contenders with varying degrees of probability in this competitive turf sprint stakes event.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded