Gulfstream Announces Summer Stakes Program
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Gulfstream Park announced a record $4.7 million summer stakes schedule March 1, highlighted by the $1 million Summit of Speed series, the $2 million Florida Sire Stakes series, and an inaugural Sire Stakes series worth $900,000 for 3-year-old Florida-breds.
The schedule will feature five graded stakes, starting with the Miami Mile (gr. IIIT) April 25
The Summit of Speed will feature two $250,000 stakes in the Princess Rooney (gr. II) and Smile Sprint (gr. II), and the Carry Back (gr. III) and Azalea (gr. III), both with purses of $150,000. The series, which gained popularity at Calder Casino & Race Course, will be run July 5. It was not run in 2014.
Both the Princess Rooney and Smile Sprint will be part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're in" Series.
The Florida Sire Stakes, a three-race series for 2-year-olds sired by nominated stallions will kick off Aug. 8 with the six-furlong $200,000 Dr. Fager for open company and the $200,000 Desert Vixen for fillies. The $300,000 Susan's Girl for fillies will be contested at seven furlongs Sept. 5, while the 1 1/16-mile finals—the $500,000 In Reality and $500,000 My Dear Girl—will run Oct. 3.
Gulfstream will also offer a Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds, to be run on the same three dates as the juvenile races, with distances of seven furlongs, a mile and 1 1/16 miles, with each race worth $150,000.
"We believe this is our strongest and most balanced summer stakes schedule yet," said Gulfstream general manager P.J. Campo. "After consulting with horsemen and breeders, we believe this stakes schedule continues rebuilding summer racing in Florida. We have increased the Florida Sire Stakes for 2-year-olds, created a Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds, and have brought back the Summit of Speed. With nearly $5 million in purses and 29 stakes, we're looking forward to a tremendous summer season at Gulfstream Park."
To access the complete stakes schedule, click here.