Ridden by John Velazquez, Almusafa was making the third start of a promising career following a debut victory on the turf at Aqueduct on Nov. 27 and a close-up fifth-place finish in the Ginger Brew Stakes over the Gulfstream course on Dec. 24 when beaten only 1 ¼ lengths despite early trouble.
Who’s Hot: Jockey Edgar Prado got his Thursday afternoon off to a fast start riding the first three winners to bring his total for the session that began Dec. 3 to 17 winners and moving him into eighth place in the standings behind Javier Castellano, who is leading with 41 victories. Prado won Gulfstream meet riding titles in 2002 and 2005.
Quote of the Day: Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin after Almusafa won Thursday’s allowance feature: “We ran her in the stakes last time (fifth in the Ginger Brew) in just her second start and she ran well, but didn’t quicken like she did today. We’ve thought she was a very nice filly from the start and I have no problem going back in a stakes with her now.”
Workout of the Day: Jay Em Ess Stable’s 4-year-old Redeemed breezed six furlongs in 1:15 4/5 Thursday morning at Gulfstream for trainer Rick Dutrow as he is kept on edge for his 2012 debut expected to come in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park on Sat., Feb. 11.
A son of Include, Redeemed won his last two starts in 2011, capturing the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park in mid-October and the $100,000 Discovery Handicap (G3) last out at Aqueduct on Nov. 19 to bring his career record to 8-5-2-1.
Dutrow is also expected to start IEAH Stable and partners’ undefeated 5-year-old Trickmeister in the Donn in what promises to be the strongest field assembled in the nation so far this year with Preakness Stakes (G1) hero Shackleford and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Ruler On Ice among those expected to line-up for the 1 1/8 miles tes
Rainbow 6 Carryover: $36,452.13
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