Gulfstream Park will resume its Royal Palm Meet on Saturday with an 10-race programme led by a $100,000 seven-furlong contest for fillies and mares, where Domino Vitali will make her return after nearly three months away from competition. The four-year-old arrives from Monmouth Park having had more time between starts than originally planned, but that break could prove useful as she steps back to a shorter trip.
Sheer Drama Handicap
The seven-furlong race on the main track will serve as a local preparation for next month’s $250,000 Princess Rooney (G3), which is scheduled for September 12. Saturday’s field will also include stablemates Kerry’s Kiss and Indy Bay, along with Chilean Group 1 winner Bombacha Veloz, giving the race a strong mix of established performers and a returning contender.
Domino Vitali has made only four starts so far. Her latest appearance came on May 16 at Monmouth Park, where she finished second in the Serena’s Song over one mile and 70 yards. It was her first attempt around two turns, and she stayed close to the pace before holding second by a neck.
The daughter of Uncle Mo had originally been considered for the Lady’s Secret in June and the Molly Pitcher (G3) in July, both over 1 1/16 miles at Monmouth. Neither opportunity materialised, with the latter eventually going to two-time Grade 1 winner Splendora by five and a half lengths.
Trainer Jorge Delgado has now opted for a change of distance and a return to Gulfstream, where Domino Vitali has already shown an affinity for the track.
The filly made her debut last autumn at Tampa Bay Downs, winning by six lengths. She then moved to Gulfstream during the Championship Meet and contested two one-turn miles.
On January 8, she pressed the early pace before taking charge in the stretch and was caught late to finish second. Seven weeks later, she overcame a slow beginning, settled behind the leaders and produced a six-length victory.
That earlier Gulfstream form will be an important part of the assessment as Domino Vitali returns to seven furlongs. Jose Morelos will take over in the saddle from Post 3, with the filly assigned 121 pounds.
Indy Bay brings proven seven-furlong form into the race. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., she won the Charles Town Oaks (G2) over the distance last year and returned to Gulfstream on May 24 to record a 7¾-length victory at Saturday’s course and distance.
Her most recent start resulted in a second-place finish behind Kerry’s Kiss in the 6½-furlong Musical Romance Handicap on June 27. Kerry’s Kiss will return from Post 5 with Edwin Gonzalez aboard and carries 124 pounds.
Bombacha Veloz adds an international dimension to the field. The Chilean mare will make her North American debut after going unraced since finishing in the Alberto Solari Magnasco (G1) over 1¼ miles in November. Four of her five career victories have come in Group-level company, including the Mil Guineas (G1) last August.
Just a Philly also arrives with useful Gulfstream form. The mare had a two-race winning run ended when she finished third in the Musical Romance and now returns to seven furlongs, a distance at which she has recorded two wins, two seconds and two thirds from eight attempts.
The remainder of the field will be completed by Poiema, Permian Basin and Girvin Star.
For Domino Vitali, the race represents a different test from the one she faced at Monmouth in May. The shorter distance should place greater emphasis on early speed while also asking whether she can conserve enough energy for the final stages.
The Princess Rooney will be the longer-term objective, but Saturday’s race offers an immediate indication of how well the change in distance suits her. With several accomplished runners already established at Gulfstream, Domino Vitali will have to produce a significant performance on her return.
The Sheer Drama Handicap will provide a useful test of Domino Vitali’s development and her ability to transfer her earlier Gulfstream form to a seven-furlong stakes setting. With Indy Bay, Kerry’s Kiss and Bombacha Veloz bringing established credentials, the race promises a revealing afternoon for the fillies and mares division at Gulfstream Park.
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