Almanaar Surges to Gulfstream Park Turf 'Cap Win

The past performances for Shadwell Stable's homebred Almanaar read like a countdown headed into the $350,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1T) Feb. 11. 

A dual group 3 winner in France, the Dubawi gelding joined trainer Chad Brown's string in September and finished fourth in a Belmont Park allowance, came in third under similar conditions there in October, and then ran second in the Jan. 14 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) in his 5-year-old debut.

Stepped up into grade 1 company for the first time under Joel Rosario, Almanaar ran straight and true to the Gulfstream Park winner's circle to secure his first North American score. The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:45.63 on firm turf. 

Charting a less direct course was second-place finisher Beach Patrol, who after setting the pace was found guilty by the stewards of interference with War Correspondent   in the stretch run. Beach Patrol was placed fourth. Moving to second was All Included, while War Correspondent was placed third.

Beach Patrol, also trained by Brown, cut an opening quarter in :23.59 while tracked closely by Eriigh for the front spot. Racing in the second tier through a half in :47.08 were War Correspondent, Lukes Alley, and three-wide favorite Divisidero, sent off at odds of 2-1. 

Rosario tipped Almanaar out from fifth and set him down four wide around the turn, chasing Divisidero, who flattened instead of charging on. Beach Patrol and War Correspondent battled for the advantage, but in the end it was the surging Almanaar who closed through a 1:34.02 mile and got up in time for the win.

Almanaar was sent off at odds of 3-1 and returned $8, $4.40, and $3.20. All Included, a 15-1 shot, was worth $13.40 and $5.80. War Correspondent, also a longshot at 22-1, paid $8.40.

The winner was bred in Great Britain out of the Bahhare mare Baqah (IRE). He improved his record to 5-3-2 from 13 starts.