Speaker's Corner Sizzles in Gulfstream Park Mile
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Speaker's Corner motors home in the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes at Gulfstream Park
There was a moment of anticipation at the top of the lane as the field began to close in around favored Speaker's Corner at the top of the stretch in the $200,000 WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) March 5 at Gulfstream Park, but that moment was over as soon as it began when the Godolphin homebred dropped his head and motored away from his competition to a five-length victory.
While a number of the country’s best older horses knock heads in the Middle East, Speaker’s Corner was able to put his talents on full display on Saturday in an effort that earned him a ticket to the June 11 Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park.
Closing the windows as the 6-5 favorite off his frontrunning win over Repole Stable’s Fearless in the Jan. 29 Fred W. Hooper Stakes presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa (G3), Speaker’s Corner was outfooted from the gate but quickly charged up the inside fence to assume command past the opening quarter in :22.87. Under a motionless Junior Alvarado, Speaker’s Corner proceeded to zip through a half-mile in :45.10 as the field turned for home. Fearless, Endorsed and Diamond Oops made bids to no avail, as Speaker's Corner, a son of Street Sense , tripled his advantage in a matter of strides.
Fearless battled on for second over Endorsed . Diamond Oops was fourth.
"Today, I loved the way I sent him out of there and he just took it nicely," said Alvarado. "I think the last time he was a little keen. Today, he was more relaxed, doing it on his own, without really putting any effort into it. So I knew, turning for home, I was going to have a lot of horse left. He does it nice and comfortable, so I knew what I had under me when I was turning for home.”
Speaker’s Corner turned heads with his mile time of 1:33.84, just a few ticks off Normandy Invasion 's track record of 1:33.13.
"That was fast," said trainer Bill Mott. "He didn't get off as well today but he was still able to cruise to the lead down the backside and it looked like he was just waiting for competition."
Mott indicated the Met Mile could be in the handsome bay’s future, which could spell a potential match-up with superstars Flightline and Life Is Good .
"There will be a discussion with the powers at be," said Mott. "I know there's some good horses around but he might be a horse to consider for the Met Mile. You’ve got to put it in the back of your mind and give it consideration. He’s won a grade 3, now a grade 2, and now we’ve got to search for the grade 1."
The lightly-raced colt improved his record to 5-1-1 from eight career starts for earnings of $407,130.
Speaker’s Corner, bred in Kentucky, hails from the family of Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) heroine Round Pond and graded stakes winner Long River . He is the first foal out of the unraced Bernardini mare Tyburn Brook , who has an unnamed 2-year-old colt by Maclean's Music and a yearling colt by Nyquist .