Woodbine’s backstretch is now open, the training track is in use and the main track Tapeta is set to open March 11. There are still many stables still south of the border, however, and one of the biggest horse stars of 2023 is set to make his four-year-old debut this Sunday, March 10, in Florida.
King’s Plate winner PARAMOUNT PRINCE (Society’s Chairman) is entered in an optional claiming race ($25,000) at 1 1/8 miles on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park for owners Mike Langlois and Gary Barber. Trainer Mark Casse has been preparing the chestnut gelding at Gulfstream Park on its Tapeta surface. Irad Ortiz will ride Paramount Prince from post 1 in a competitive field which includes another Canadian classic winner, Heste Sport’s SIR FOR SURE, winner of the 2022 Breeders’ Stakes. The race is the 9th on Sunday.
A number of Canadians and Woodbine-based horsepeople were in Barbados recently for the 41st Sandy Lane Gold Cup (G1), won by Gay Smith’s Portfolio Company. Trainer Ted Holder sent out Woodbine invader Pat’ssewingmachine to be a good third in the race under jockey Rocco Bowen.
Woodbine jockey ESWAN FLORES won with two of his five mounts for trainer Jean Marc Cozier. The Canadian horse racing show HORSERACING JOURNEYS played a large role in boosting interest in the Gold Cup with its content and videos throughout the last two weeks. Below is the post-Gold Cup Beach Crew episode featuring Woodbine track announcer Robert Geller, who called race 4 at the Garrison on Saturday.
Trainer MIKE WRIGHT had his third winner of the Tampa Bay Downs meeting as H C Holiday, owned by Gina Wright, won a $10,000 claiming race going away by 3 1/2 lengths. H C Holiday, by Ami’s Holiday, has won four of 29 starts and he was ridden by Ademar Santos. NORM MCKNIGHT won his third race of the winter when HAPPYMAC took a $10,000 claiming race at Oaklawn on the weekend.
MARTIN DREXLER continues his sizzling hot streak at Gulfstream. His barn has won five races from its last 14 starters and the grand old-timer SAND DANCER, who won for $10,000 claiming for Drexler and owner Bruno Schickedanz on Feb. 24, was the trainer’s 700th career winner. Sand Dancer, who is nine, is a stakes winner and Grade 2 placed for his breeder Sea Gull Capital. The gelding was dropped in for $10,000 claiming a year ago and that was when he joined the Drexler barn.
C C ROYAL, a Ontario-bred three-year-old filly by Flatter, was an impressive winner of a 7 furlong optional claiming/allowance race at Laurel Park on March 3, earning an 81 Beyer Speed Figure. Bred by Windways Farm, the filly is owned by David and Lori Hughes’ Mens Grille Stable and trained by Hamilton Smith. From the mare Summer Reading by Hard Spun, C C Royal has won two of five races and she was third in the Xtra Heat Stakes.
Below – the Beach Crew on Horseracing Journeys sums up the Barbados Gold Cup day. Sponsors include the Ontario HBPA, Mount Gay Rum, Bubba’s and Away Together – the newest app and a great idea for when you travel, see more at www.myawaytogether.com or find the app at Google Store, Apple Play Store, etc.
