Friday, February 03, 2012

Gulfstream Today: 2.3.12

Emcee came within less than two-fifths of a second of equaling the Gulfstream Park track record for seven furlongs while winning the featured ninth race.

Making the second start of his career, the 4-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song scored by six lengths with a blistering 1:20.83 clocking. The track record for seven furlongs of 1:20.45 was set in 2005 by Mr. Light.

Emcee vied for pacesetting honors with long shot Macarthur Causeway while racing along the rail on the backstretch and obtained a clear lead on the far turn before being challenged by favored Associate. The 3-5 favorite ranged alongside Emcee leaving the turn into the homestretch, but the 8-5 second choice quickly kicked clear on his way to his second straight victory.


John Velazquez was aboard the Darley home-bred colt, who broke his maiden by 4 ½ lengths at Belmont Park on Sept. 14. Sheikh Mohammed’s racing manager decided to have the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colt shipped to Dubai after the maiden win, but the trip was cancelled when Emcee came down with a fever while in quarantine in December.

Associate, who finished third in the Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita last time out, finished second, 2 ½ lengths ahead of Voodoo Storm

Quote of the Day: “The time today was crazy,” said Neal McLaughlin, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, after Emcee scored by six lengths in near-record time in the ninth race. “He could be anything.”

Work of the Day: Grace Hall produced a bullet workout at Palm Meadows Training Center, breezing a half mile in 46.77 seconds in preparation for an expected start in the Davona Dale (G2) on Feb. 25.

Who’s Hot: John Velazquez was one of three jockeys with a pair of victories on the card, visiting the winner’s circle with Emcee ($5.20) in the ninth and Dreaming of Les ($3.20) in the second.

Leading rider Javier Castellano scored aboard Lava Girl ($10.60) in the fourth and Adela’s Song ($6.20) in the sixth, while Joe Bravo got the money with Famous ($11.60) in the third and Wewoka Switch ($42.60) in the eighth.

10-cent Rainbow 6 carryover: $134,548.44

50-cent Late Pick 4 Guarantee: $200,000

50-cent Pick 5 Guarantee: $100,000