Trainer Steve Dwoskin leaned over the rail, kissed the bridle, and gave his filly a quiet pat before she headed out for her final breeze. Starship Impulsive, streaking on a four-race tear, has turned into Gulfstream Park’s rising turf heroine. On Saturday, she’ll step onto even bigger ground as the 9-5 favorite in the $75,000 Ginger Punch, seeking a fifth straight victory.
The mile turf handicap for fillies and mares closes out Saturday’s 11-race card, which also features the $200,000 Princess Rooney (G3). That headliner doubles as a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier, sending its winner to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar. But among Gulfstream regulars, it is Starship Impulsive’s bid for five in a row that has the grandstand buzzing.
“She doesn’t need the lead,” Dwoskin said with a smile. “But if it comes easy, she can take it and slow things down. She’s been a joy to train.”
A Rising Force on Turf
The daughter of Improbable first showed promise during the Championship Meet but came alive stretching out around two turns. She swept the Honey Ryder, Martha Washington, and Frolic’s Revenge after an allowance score, each win showcasing both her tactical speed and composure.
Purchased for $50,000 at the 2024 OBS April sale, Starship Impulsive may have lived up to her name in training, but on race days she has been all business. “Everything we ask, she does,” Dwoskin added.
She breaks from the outside post in a field of 10, with trusted partner Leonel Reyes in the irons once again.
Stablemates and Rivals
Dwoskin and Starship Stables also send out Starship Agenda, a consistent older mare with stakes credentials. Luca Panici will take the mount.
Among the opposition is defending champion Charlie’s Wish (3-1), trained by David Fawkes and piloted by Miguel Vasquez. She took last year’s Ginger Punch in style and recently ran third behind Starship Impulsive.
Saffie Joseph Jr. saddles two contenders: Lady Cha Cha (7-2), who has been unlucky in traffic, and Leo Toro (8-1), coming off a resounding Colonial Downs victory.
Other notables include Lets Go Koko (10-1), a front-running Powder Break winner, and a pair of longshot streakers stepping up from claiming company—Show Off for Fausto Gutierrez, with Joe Bravo back from injury, and Oshala for Nader Moubarak under Rajiv Maragh.
Rounding out the lineup are Crafty Collector and Burnaway.
Eyes on a Fifth Straight
If Starship Impulsive can extend her winning streak in the Ginger Punch, she will solidify herself as one of Gulfstream’s brightest turf fillies heading into the fall. For Dwoskin, Reyes, and the Starship team, the journey from a modest $50,000 purchase to multiple-stakes winner has been as rewarding as the victories themselves.
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