While a few runners have returned from last seasons Gr. I BC Juvenile Turf affair, a few more competed tightly in the Gr. III Bourbon and the Gr. II BC Juvenile Turf Sprint race as well, which should make for an exceptional finish to this event.
- Dania Beach Stakes ( Gr.III ) – Purse $100.000
- Gulfstream Park- For Three Year olds
- One Mile in distance- Inner Turf
- February 1st, 2020
So we get to close out the first month of 2020 here at Gulfstream with a number of great race events. Fourth on the card for the day is the running of the Dania Beach. This is a very unique event as it has been raced at both a mile in distance as well as going seven and a half panels. Three year olds have competed for the title in eight of the past eleven, while from 2011-13, the juveniles had full reign of the event.
Surprising to add to all that, its a two year old that holds the record for the mile distance, when Success Home ( Barcelona Farms ) finished in a final time of 1:33.23. Even if it should be toppled by a sophomore, this is a stellar effort for a two year old. Speaking of Success Home, he would win five of his seven starts on the turf before being purchased by Angelos Stables. Absent for almost a year after his previous trainer won four of five starts with his only bad effort coming over a good turf surface, he would be sent out to challenge a brutally soft footing at TUP, finishing some 17 lengths from the eventual winner. It was obvious this turfer was not a fan of the off track surface, and his career was ended following that race. Was it to soon? When you look back to his efforts in the Kittens Joy following his win in this event, the last place finisher in the Joy was a horse by the name Seven Years ( Alydar Stables). He would go on to a career of some 14 turf wins, over $4,100.000 in career earnings, with one Grade III, seven Grade II titles and three Grade I wins, with a Breeder Cup Mile in that mix. Just goes to show when given the time and patience, some horses turn out to be stellar runners.
So lets look at this group and see just how close this event may whined up like at the wire;
First looking at the three who fought it out in last seasons BC Juvenile Turf event, we have number one Arindel’s Lucky Storm, number seven Rampage Stables Stressed Out and finally number ten Estero Farms Gordon Drive. While there have been some scratched and post positions have moved inward, these three runners finished three quarters of a length back, a length shy and finally three lengths shy. Lucky Storm is definitely gonna benefit from the rail in this race. May just take a off the pace approach in this race, and then close late to show up for the picture. Tried to take the front in the Pulpit last season, but late runners put the finishing touched on that affair leaving him third. Wont make that mistake here. Stressed Out closed to within a quarter of a length in the BC event last season behind Lucky Storm, with a late closing effort. He should be running late once again and with this smaller field may try to steal the victory a little bit closer to put him in the driver seats down the stretch. Finally Gordon Drive and his trainer are definitely thankful for not having to start from a fourteen hole here. This smaller field should give him ample time to find a nice placing down the backstretch so he can make the turn for home with a late kick effort to the line.
From this past trio, Stressed Out competed in the Gr. III Bourbon with the likes of Aer Stables B C P. While Stressed Out would capture the victory, B C P was a mere three tenths of a second back in fourth place. That event came over a good footing at KEE, and while we may get some isolated showers, the turf will more then likely stay firm. B C P finished out last season with a sharp 1:34 and four work at AQU and has prepped well with a nice 1:10 flat here at GP. Should be closer on the day with this affair.
Two who tried the shorter BC Juvenile Turf Sprint race last season were The Sidley Stud’s Cheviots and Jokerjoes Inflation. As for Cheviots, he did try to get an early jump in the BC event, but that was unsuccessful as he would finish two back in eighth. Watch for his trainer to try a more winning approach that he used in his Proud Man victory over this very surface. Jockey’s 0 for 12 record could make that tough. With Inflation, his SRF numbers have been on the rise in his past three starts, and he did manage to break his maiden at today’s distance and footing, so stretching out once again may give him time to highlight his talents.
Add into this mix of fine runners and your final two will consist of Robeth’s Heavily Redacted and New Larkhill Stables Chai Danger. Heavily Redacted trainer is still in search of his first win of 2020, and he is hoping the purchase of this gray and his recent works on the dirt may go in his favor. Is two of three on the grass for his career, and his maiden winning time is a little off from others in here, so he will need to pick up the pace, Chai Danger is out of the Niagra bloodline who was never a turf competitor, but did have an impressive career. You would have to go back to HRP-Habitat on his dam’s side to find any significant turf talent, but with Desormeaux in the irons, he could be poised to upset the apple cart today.
Picks– 7-1-10
Feedback: While Angelos Stables was unavailable for comment about uccess Home, Richard from Alydar Stables was generous enough to give me feedback about Seven Years. “ He had been one of my fav 2yos at the time. His runs in the Anticipation and Pilgrim led me to toss the BC race where I feel he broke slow then encountered a bad trip the last half. The Kitten Joy was his second race post BC and I thought (hoped) that the BC run knocked him out of whack some so I dropped him back into the allowance ranks. Shortly after that he seem to regain his confidence so I started to move him back up and he didn’t disappoint while winning at least one Graded race each year thru his 8yo season. Thanks Richard for sharing your insight into this true champion thoroughbred.
Duffer
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
