The Friday Gulfstream races will feature a competitive mix of turf and main-track contests on October 2, with Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park combining for a strong programme. Several runners will enter Friday’s card with promising recent form, while others will return to preferred surfaces or make important changes ahead of their next starts.
Gulfstream Park’s Race 7 will be a mile optional claiming allowance for 3-year-old fillies on turf, with a seven-runner field scheduled to go to post at 3:30 p.m. Bert’s Knoty Girl, trained by Jeff Engler, will arrive after finishing third in the Miss Gracie Stakes and will look to build on that effort. Softly Dreaming, trained by Kevin McKathan, will also bring an interesting record into the race after finishing first or second in each of her four previous starts over the all-weather surface.
Race 8 at Gulfstream Park will cover 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track for 3-year-olds and upward. Proud American, trained by Mary Eppler, and Mish, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., will renew their rivalry after finishing first and second respectively when they last met. King Cab will also attract attention as he will make his first start for trainer Victor Barboza Jr. following a lengthy layoff. His recent workouts will provide an indication of his preparation for the return.
The Gulfstream Park card will continue with Race 9, a mile maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and upward on turf. Jean Laffite, trained by Ron Spatz, will return to turf after finishing second in his debut on the surface. He will race without blinkers for the first time following a disappointing effort on Tapeta. Happy Memories, trained by David Fawkes, will also enter with a recent placing behind him and will race with blinkers after finishing second over the main track.
Friday Gulfstream Races Continue With Santa Anita Action
The programme will shift to Santa Anita Park for a series of races featuring several runners with notable recent records. Race 7 will be a mile optional claimer for fillies and mares on turf, where Canto Della Terra will headline a six-runner field. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the Irish import will return after finishing outside the placings in the John C. Maybe Stakes. Before that performance, she will have recorded two victories and a second-place finish from her first three starts in the United States.
Goodies, another D’Amato trainee, will also line up after recording consecutive victories at a mile on turf. Her recent form will make her an important part of the contest as she looks to maintain her progress over the distance.
Santa Anita Race 8 will present a 6 1/2-furlong optional claiming event for California-bred 3-year-old fillies. The race will attract a full field of 12 and will provide one of the larger fields on Friday’s programme. The competitive line-up will bring together fillies with different levels of experience and recent form.
The evening card will conclude with Santa Anita Race 9, a mile maiden special weight for 3-year-old fillies on turf. Vendetta, trained by Richard Mandella, will return after finishing fifth in the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar. Royal Pearl, trained by Michael McCarthy, will make her turf debut after two respectable efforts in main-track sprint races and will face a new test over the longer distance.
Another notable contest will come in Santa Anita Race 3, a six-furlong optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and upward on turf. Arrakis, trained by Phil D’Amato, will return to Santa Anita, where he previously won over six furlongs on turf. His familiarity with the course and distance will provide useful form heading into the contest.
Santa Anita Race 5 will be a six-furlong maiden special weight for fillies and mares on turf. Sutura, trained by Jack Sisterson, will return after finishing only a neck behind the winner at Kentucky Downs. First Or Last, trained by Doug O’Neill, will also return to turf after finishing second on the surface two starts earlier.
The combined programme at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park will provide a broad range of racing conditions, with turf contests, main-track events and runners returning from breaks or changing surfaces. The Friday Gulfstream races will therefore form part of an afternoon and evening card featuring several developing runners and established performers looking to continue their recent progress.
The Friday Gulfstream races will feature competitive fields across turf and main-track events, while Santa Anita Park will add several notable contests led by runners including Bert’s Knoty Girl, Proud American, Jean Laffite, Canto Della Terra, Vendetta and Arrakis.
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