Gulfstream Championship Meet Schedule Set

Gulfstream Park will present a stakes program worth a record $11.61 million in purses during its 2015-2016 "Championship Meet," highlighted by the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) April 2. 

 

A record 73 stakes, including 37 graded races, will be offered during the meet scheduled to begin Dec. 5. Six new races have been added to the stakes program for the 2015-2016 meet, while another six races have received purse increases.

 

The 65th running of the Florida Derby, whose starters have gone on to win 57 Triple Crown events, including 22 Kentucky Derby winners, will culminate a 3-year-old stakes schedule, which includes the $100,000 Hutcheson (gr. III) and $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Jan. 2, the $350,000 Holy Bull (gr. II) and $150,000 Swale (gr. III) Jan. 30, the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (gr. II) and $150,000 Palm Beach (gr. IIIT) Feb. 27, and the $75,000 Spectacular Bid March 19.

 

Again, 3-year-old fillies will have several opportunities, culminating with the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II) on Florida Derby Day. Highlights leading up to the Oaks include the $200,000 Forward Gal (gr. II) and $100,000 Sweetest Chant (gr. III) Jan. 30, and the $200,000 Davona Dale (gr. II) Feb. 27. 

           

The purse for the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II), scheduled for its 72nd running March 5, has been increased to $500,000 from $350,000. The Feb. 6 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) has received a purse boost of $50,000 to $350,000, while the Gulfstream Park Oaks will be contested April 2 for $250,000, up $50,000. Also receiving $50,000 boosts are the $200,000 Orchid (gr. II), $200,000 Appleton (gr. IIIT), and $200,000 Pan American (gr. IIIT), all set for April 2. The H. Allen Jerkens will be contested on Jan. 23 for $100,000, up $25,000.

           

"We are looking forward to what will be a memorable and exciting Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park," Gulfstream general manager PJ Campo said. "The increase in purse money and the number of stakes to our program shows the commitment of The Stronach Group to Thoroughbred racing in Florida and throughout North America. Our stakes schedule, with the help of horsemen throughout the Americas, continues to grow as does the number of fans and guests to our facility. Our 3-year-old program, highlighted by the $1 million Florida Derby and Gulfstream Park Oaks, continues to be one of the best in the world. Our racing program, coupled with great events including the Eclipse Awards and Fasig-Tipton March Sale, means Gulfstream will be the place to be this winter."

 

Gulfstream will give horsemen ample opportunities on its turf course for 3-year-olds, older horses, and fillies and mares. Beginning Jan. 9 there will be six graded stakes on the turf for 4-year-olds and up and five graded stakes on the grass for fillies and mares. 

 

Added to the record stakes schedule are the $110,000 Claiming Crown Distaff Dash (Dec. 5), $100,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint (Jan. 16), $75,000 Melody of Colors (Feb. 20), $100,000 Sand Springs (Feb. 27), $75,000 Captiva Island (March 12), and $75,000 Cutler Bay (March 26).

           

The $1.1 million Claiming Crown will kick off the stakes schedule, which will conclude with the $2.4 million Florida Derby Day program that will offer eight stakes, including seven graded races. There will be seven Super Saturday cards with a minimum of five stakes during the meeting that plays host to Hall of Fame trainers and jockeys and the finest Thoroughbreds in the world.

 

Stall applications for Gulfstream's Championship Meet are due Sept. 10.