Undefeated FRAC DANCER, winner of the Clarendon Stakes in his second start as a two-year-old last year at Woodbine, makes his sophomore debut in the $100,000 Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream on March 23. Trained by Mike DePaulo for Newtop Stable and John Russell, the son of Frac Daddy will be making his turf debut in the 5 furlong dash.
Frac Dancer has been working quickly over Gulfstream’s Tapeta this winter. Among his competition is three-time stakes winner No Nay Mets (Ire), who was fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last November at Santa Anita.
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At Fair Grounds on Saturday as part of a huge card of racing highlighted by the Louisiana Derby (G2), 2023 Prince of Wales Stakes winner VELOCITOR is entered in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Owned and bred in Ontario by Al and Bill Ulwelling, the son of Mor Spirit won his Fair Grounds debut on Feb. 12 for trainer Gary Scherer at 1 mile and 70 yards on the dirt with a career top 94 Beyer Speed Figure. David Cohen rides. Velocitor is in a tough field that includes Louisiana-bred star Touchuponastar (11 for 14 and winner of four straight stakes).
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At Turfway Park on Jeff Ruby Steaks day, Ontario-breds TIO MAGICO, co-owned by Sam-Son Farms, and HARLAN ESTATE compete in the $300,000 Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) at 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta. Tio Magico, now six years old and trained by Phil D’Amato, has been racing in California since the fall of 2022 and he has won two allowance/optional races on turf. He was recently third in the San Gabrial Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita and fourth in the Thunder Road Stakes (G3), also at Santa Anita. Both races were on turf.
Harlan Estate, purchased by Graham Grace Stables from the 2022 Keeneland November Sale for $150,000, won the Tapit Stakes at Keeneland on the turf last fall when he added blinkers. He raced without blinkers last time on soft turf at Fair Grounds and the Whitworth Beckman trainee gets the shades back for the Kentucky Cup Classic.
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On Sunday, Prince of Wales runner-up KAUKOKAIPUU makes his four-year-old debut in a loaded sprint allowance/optional race at Gulfstream Park on dirt. The gray colt trained by Ted Holder has been working at Classic Mile Training Centre. Joe Bravo rides. Also in the field is Plate Trial runner-up COOL KISS, trained by Mike DePaulo, and 2023 Pink Lloyd Stakes winner ROCKCREST, who would be trying the dirt for the first time for owner and trainer Nigel Burke.
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On the worktab, Canada’s top two-year-old of 2023, MY BOY PRINCE, had a bullet workout on Wednesday at Palm Meadows, four furlongs in 47.80 on the dirt from the gate. Gary Barber’s top-class colt, trained by Mark Casse, is pointing towards the Palisades Stakes at Keeneland in early April.
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