Monday, February 8, 2021
HALLANDALE BEACH - Starlight Racing’s Jouster remained undefeated on the turf Sunday at Gulfstream Park, scoring by 1 ¾ lengths over Gladys, a full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, in the Race 7 feature, a 1 16-mile optional claiming allowance for 3-year-old fillies.
The Todd Pletcher-trained daughter of Noble Mission, who scored a front-running 8 ¾-length maiden victory in her Jan. 10 turf debut, again showed the way before holding Gladys at bay through the stretch to prevail as the 1-10 favorite. Jouster, a $360,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling sale, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.56 over a ‘good’ course after setting fractions of 25:02 and 48:07 for the first half-mile, 1:10.99 for six furlongs and 1:35.57 for a mile.
“I was a little concerned running on soft ground today because she handled the firm ground so well last time," Pletcher said. But she dug in and found a little more when she had to despite going quick internal fractions. But she got the job done. She’s 2-for-2 now on the grass, so we’ll try again.”
Dede McGehee’s Gladys, who was making her turf debut, chased Jouster throughout the race and made up some ground in the stretch. The Kelsey Danner-trained Gladys, who broke her maiden Oct. 25 at Gulfstream Park West before finishing off the board in the Jan. 1 Cash Run at Gulfstream, was wearing blinkers for the first time.
Trainer Chad Brown unveiled a promising 3-year-old filly in Race 6, a six-furlong test won by Peter Brant’s Boston Post Road with a thoroughly professional performance. The debuting daughter of Quality Road pressed the early pace before drawing clear by three lengths under Paco Lopez.
Purchased for $525,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, the long-striding Boston Post Road ($8.20) raced six-furlongs in 1:11.68.
Wednesday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $1.2 million. It went unsolved for the 10th day Sunday, and multiple tickets with six winners were each worth $88.36.
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