The $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (G3T) March 2 at Gulfstream Park has drawn a competitive field of 10 runners, including the lightly raced and aptly named Turf King , who has yet to be off the board in four starts. The Kingman colt made four starts last year, winning the Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine for trainer Chad Brown and owner Wise Racing. The 4-year-old will have regular rider Tyler Gaffalione in the tack and break from the 4 slot.
Slotted as race 12, the race for 4-year-olds and up is at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Mark Casse will start Ice Chocolat , a gelding who broke through with a victory earlier this winter after going winless in nine starts in 2023 for owners Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Peter Deutsch.
Making his 2024 debut is the highly capable Emmanuel , a multiple-graded winner, with three of his six outings last year being wins among graded company. The 5-year-old has been recording weekly works at Palm Beach Downs with Todd Pletcher.
Other contenders include:
- Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey will look to put DATTT Stable’s Smokin’ T in the winner’s circle for his 2024 debut; he won last out in the Nov. 11 River City Stakes (G3T) at Churchill;
- Trainer James Toner will look for an improved performance out of Siege of Boston after finishing third last out in the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T) for owner/breeder Joseph Allen;
- Trainer Mike Maker will send out his 7-year-old grade 1-winning millionaire Atone , recently a close fourth in the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T);
- and grade 2 stakes placed Napoleonic War , who won an allowance optional claiming event Jan. 27 for owners Michael Iavarone, Jules Iavarone, and Jake’s Dream and trainer Jack Sisterson.
Entries: Canadian Turf S. (G3T)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 02, 2024, Race 12
- Grade IIIT
- 1 1/16m
- Turf
- $150,000
- 4 yo’s & up
- 4:53 PM (local)
Walkathon Charges INTO Honey Fox
The one-mile, $150,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G3T) lured 11 older fillies and mares with Whitham Thoroughbreds home-bred Walkathon among the favorites. The Twirling Candy mare threw down an easy victory Feb. 3 in the Endeavour Stakes (G3T) for trainer Ian Wilkes.
Walkathon wins the Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
Gulfstream-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will start the Mille Racing’s stakes-placed Candy Light and Ken Ramsey’s Endeavour Stakes (G3T) second runner-up Be My Sunshine .
Other challengers include:
- Chili Flag aims to return to her winning ways after a sixth in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) for trainer Chad Brown;
- James Toner will send his dual stakes-placed For the Flag out for her 2024 bow for owner/breeder Joseph Allen; the mare was second in both the One Dreamer Stakes and Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile Stakes last year;
- Fellow comebacker NBS Stable’s Mohawk Trail has been training steadily with weekly works towards Saturday with conditioner Kelsey Danner;
- Gulfstream Park specialist Time Passage steps up in class for owners Laurie Plesa and Glassman Racing;
- and Ancient Peace looks for her first graded stakes win for owner Boardshorts Stables who purchased her during the 2023 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale for a sale-topping $650,000.
Entries: Honey Fox S. (G3T)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 02, 2024, Race 13
- Grade IIIT
- 1m
- Turf
- $150,000
- 4 yo’s & up Fillies and Mares
- 5:23 PM (local)
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