Wound Up, the West Coast-hardened 6-year-old gelding, is set to make his East Coast stakes breakthrough this Saturday in the $125,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint. After a promising debut under Jose D’Angelo in the Dec. 27 Mr. Prospector (G3), where he finished a close third behind Knightsbridge, connections are hoping the six-furlong trip suits him better.
The gelding, owned by David Bernsen LLC, Mia Familia Racing Stable, and Corey La Russo, came tantalizingly close to the pacesetting favorite in the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector, holding his own late on the turn before settling for third. “I think the seven furlongs was a lot for him,” said D’Angelo. “Now we’re back to six furlongs, and I’ve had more time with him. He’s always trying.”
Knightsbridge, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, confirmed the quality of Wound Up’s effort by winning the Fred W. Hooper (G3) in his next start. For Saturday, Irad Ortiz Jr. has the return call aboard Wound Up as he faces stiff competition in the Gulfstream Park Sprint.
The morning-line favorite is Damon’s Mound, a 6-year-old homebred son of Girvin trained by Mott, who enters off consecutive stakes wins, including the Bold Ruler (G3) at Aqueduct and a successful defense in the Sunshine Sprint at Gulfstream. Junior Alvarado will ride Damon’s Mound in the six-furlong dash, which features a full field of eight.
Beeline, a 5-year-old son of Bee Jersey trained by Riley Mott, the Hall of Famer’s son, will also contest the sprint. The Florida-based runner returns after a series of strong six-furlong performances, including a Keeneland optional claiming allowance win last October. Tyler Gaffalione takes the mount for the first time on Saturday, with Beeline listed at 12-1 on the morning line.
Jack’s Promise, a 4-year-old son of Promises Fulfilled, will make his stakes debut under Rajiv Maragh. The gelding captured a six-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs after pressing a pressured pace in his previous outing. Con Compania, trained by Bobby Dibona, will cut back to six furlongs after fading late in the 1 1/16-mile Harlan’s Holiday (G3). Miguel Vasquez rides the multiple stakes winner from Chile.
Rounding out the field are Great Navigator, Rolando, and Ajaayb, each bringing their own form and credentials to the sprint. Saturday’s Gulfstream Park Sprint promises to be a tightly contested affair, offering a first real chance for Wound Up to secure a victory east of the Mississippi.
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