Turf King Looks to Reign in Canadian Turf

The $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (G3T) March 2 at Gulfstream Park has drawn a competitive field of 10 runners, including the lightly raced and aptly named Turf King , who has yet to be off the board in four starts. The Kingman   colt made four starts last year, winning the Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine for trainer Chad Brown and owner Wise Racing. The 4-year-old will have regular rider Tyler Gaffalione in the tack and break from the 4 slot.

Slotted as race 12, the race for 4-year-olds and up is at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Mark Casse will start Ice Chocolat , a gelding who broke through with a victory earlier this winter after going winless in nine starts in 2023 for owners Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Peter Deutsch.

Making his 2024 debut is the highly capable Emmanuel , a multiple-graded winner, with three of his six outings last year being wins among graded company. The 5-year-old has been recording weekly works at Palm Beach Downs with Todd Pletcher, a six-time Canadian winner.

Other contenders include:

• Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey will look to put DATTT Stable's Smokin' T  in the winner's circle for his 2024 debut; he won last out in the Nov. 11 River City Stakes (G3T) at Churchill;
• Trainer Jimmy Toner will look for an improved performance out of Siege of Boston  after finishing third last out in the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T) for owner/breeder Joseph Allen; "He really is a nice horse to be around," Toner said. "We want him to get a stakes win. We think he will get one. Whether it's this one or another one, we think he will get one."
• Trainer Mike Maker will send out his 7-year-old grade 1-winning millionaire Atone , recently a close fourth in the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T);
• and grade 2 stakes placed Napoleonic War , who won an allowance optional claiming event Jan. 27 for owners Michael Iavarone, Jules Iavarone, and Jake's Dream and trainer Jack Sisterson.

Walkathon Charges INTO Honey Fox

The one-mile, $150,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G3T) lured 11 older fillies and mares with Whitham Thoroughbreds home-bred Walkathon  among the favorites. The Twirling Candy   mare threw down an easy frontrunning victory Feb. 3 in the Endeavour Stakes (G3T) for trainer Ian Wilkes.

"The race set up perfect for her," Wilkes said. "Sometimes, you just have to create your own luck. She doesn't have to have the lead."

Gulfstream-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will start Mille Racing's stakes-placed Candy Light  and Ken Ramsey's Endeavour Stakes (G3T) second runner-up Be My Sunshine . 

Other challengers include:

• Chili Flag  aims to return to her winning ways after a sixth in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) for trainer Chad Brown;
• James Toner will send his dual stakes-placed For the Flag  out for her 2024 bow for owner/breeder Joseph Allen; the mare was second in both the One Dreamer Stakes and Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile Stakes last year;
• Fellow comebacker NBS Stable's Mohawk Trail has been training steadily with weekly works towards Saturday with conditioner Kelsey Danner;
• Gulfstream Park specialist Time Passage  steps up in class for owners Laurie Plesa and Glassman Racing;
• and Ancient Peace  looks for her first graded stakes win for owner Boardshorts Stables who purchased her during the 2023 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale for a sale-topping $650,000.