Sound Machine in Tune for Hurricane Bertie Stakes

If e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Sound Machine can notch her first graded stakes win in the March 20 $100,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, it will be music to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.'s ears.

The Hurricane Bertie, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, headlines a 12-race program that also includes the $75,000 Melody of Colors Stakes and the $75,000 Texas Glitter Stakes.

Sound Machine has had her moments during her 11-race career, but the graded stakes-placed 4-year-old filly has also hit a few sour notes, including an off-the-board performance behind Pacific Gale in the Jan. 23 Inside Information Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream.

The daughter of Into Mischief  tuned up for another encounter with the John Kimmel-trained Pacific Gale March 14 with a sharp half-mile workout in :47.05 seconds while working in company with Collaborate, a maiden-romping 3-year-old pointed to the March 27 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1).

"She had a good work with Collaborate the other day. Going into this race we think we have a chance," Joseph said. "Obviously, John Kimmel's horse will be the favorite. We're hoping to get her to run a big race. We'd like to get a graded-stakes win out of her. This looks like a good opportunity to get it done."

Sound Machine is winless in seven starts since capturing the 6 1/2-furlong Glitter Woman Stakes by 6 1/2 lengths in January 2020, but she produced a graded-stakes finish in the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) at Pimlico, where she rallied to third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, after getting bumped at the start. The Florida-bred filly followed up her disappointing effort in the Inside Information with a third-place finish in an allowance optional claiming.

"She's going to have to run the best race of her life, but we feel she can improve," Joseph said. "She always seems to have a short run in her, and you have to time it well. We did a minor throat procedure after her last start. We hope that helps. If it does help her, I think she'll be able to sustain a longer run."

Tobey Morton's Pacific Gale had gone winless in 17 starts before breaking through with a 16-1 upset in the Inside Information. During the dry spell, the daughter of Flat Out  was stakes-placed eight times and graded stakes-placed on five occasions, including a second-place finish in the 2019 Hurricane Bertie.

In the Inside Information, the 6-year-old veteran stakes performer made a three-wide rally into the stretch and drew off by 2 3/4 lengths.