The spotlight falls on a seasoned group of older campaigners at Gulfstream Park on Friday, where Grade 2 winner Steal Sunshine returns to familiar surroundings to headline the $70,000 Wildcat Red Overnight Handicap. The one-turn mile contest has attracted a competitive field of 10 runners, with several accomplished performers set to begin the Independence Day holiday weekend on a strong note.
Wildcat Red Overnight Handicap.
Steal Sunshine enters the Wildcat Red Overnight Handicap as one of the most accomplished horses in the field, bringing an impressive record of eight career victories and multiple graded stakes performances into Friday’s feature. The race shares top billing on Gulfstream Park’s nine-race programme alongside the $100,000 Sharp Susan for two-year-old fillies over 5½ furlongs, with the opening race scheduled for 12:20 p.m.
Now a seven-year-old, Steal Sunshine will make the 39th start of his career and once again competes over a distance that has suited him particularly well. The experienced runner has recorded seven of his eight victories over Gulfstream Park’s main track, including four wins at one mile, underlining his proven effectiveness at the venue.
The son of Constitution enjoyed the biggest success of his career when landing the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile in 2024 and has also captured four stakes victories overall. His latest success came in the Finallymadeit Overnight Handicap last November before returning this season with a close second over 1 1/16 miles at the end of May, suggesting he remains in excellent form ahead of another appearance in the Wildcat Red Overnight Handicap.
Trainer Bobby Dibona is also represented by stablemate Back Em Up, whose progress since being claimed last autumn has made him another leading contender. The four-year-old has collected three victories from nine starts for his current connections while also finishing runner-up in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper Stakes, the Army Mule Stakes and the Big Drama Stakes.
Although Back Em Up has raced over one mile only twice previously, his consistent record at Gulfstream Park stands out. He has finished in the first three on 13 occasions from 17 appearances at the track and is expected to play a prominent role from the outset.
Among the principal challengers is Lightning Tones, a multiple stakes winner who returns after contesting the Grade 3 Ghostzapper Stakes in March. The four-year-old has already secured four stakes victories during his career, including consecutive editions of the Sunshine Classic, and previously finished third behind Steal Sunshine in the Finallymadeit Overnight Handicap.
The Thor also adds valuable experience to the field. The Chilean-bred seven-year-old was placed twice at Group 1 level before moving to North America and arrives after another placed effort in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park.
Nothingsubtle comes into the race following a runner-up finish over one mile in late May and previously finished third in the Sunshine Sprint earlier this year. Racing Driver is another capable contender after placing behind Steal Sunshine on his latest outing and has already shown consistent form in graded company during the current season.
The remainder of the field includes I Know I Know, Icelander, Roar of the Beast and Fiveeyesonskystars, giving Friday’s Wildcat Red Overnight Handicap considerable depth from top to bottom.
With accomplished graded performers, proven Gulfstream specialists and several consistent stakes horses lining up together, the Wildcat Red Overnight Handicap promises to be one of the highlights of Friday’s holiday weekend programme and an important test for older runners over the one-turn mile.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz