All systems go for start of 2016 Fall Turf Festival at Gulfstream West
The 2016 Fall Turf Festival at Gulfstream Park West is scheduled to get under way Saturday, having emerged unscathed from the threat of Hurricane Matthew that had prompted a three-day postponement.
Sister facilities Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, FL and Palm Meadows Training Center in Palm Beach County were also unaffected by the hurricane. Horses trained at all facilities Friday morning.
Due to ongoing construction at Gulfstream Park West, there will be a lack of amenities and no simulcasting available on site. Track management is urging patrons to enjoy the amenities at Gulfstream Park while watching and wagering on Gulfstream Park West races. Full-card simulcast betting is always available at Gulfstream.
Saturday's weather calls for clear skies. The track is expected to be fast and the turf firm.
"The safety of our horses, horsemen and fans will always be our main priority," said P.J. Campo, Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group and General Manager of Gulfstream Park. "We're extremely happy that are horses, horsemen and facilities suffered no injuries or damage during the threat of Hurricane Matthew and we're excited to start our program at Gulfstream Park West.
"We are asking our fans to watch and wager on Gulfstream Park West at Gulfstream Park where they will have full amenities and the ability to wager on simulcasts throughout North America."
Gulfstream Park West, where a 40-day meeting is scheduled to run through Nov. 27, will offer a 10-race program Saturday with a first-race post time of 1:15 p.m.
The opening day program, which offers large fields averaging more than 10 horses per race, will be highlighted by a five-furlong allowance race on turf. The ninth-race feature attracted 11 horses, as well as three main-track-only entrants.
Partyallnightlong has been rated as the 7-2 morning-line favorite off an allowance score at Monmouth last time out. Edgard Zayas, the 2015 Gulfstream Park West titlist, has the mount on the Eddie Broome trainee. The 2015 Fall Turf Festival training titlist Antonio Sano, who most recently claimed the 2016 Gulfstream Summer Meet crown, is slated to saddle Besame, who returned to winning form while dropping into a $30,000 claiming race last time out. Ralph Nicks-trained Final Encore is set to return from a second-place finish in which he was beaten by a neck. Tyler Gaffalione, the Gulfstream Summer Meet riding champ, has the mount.
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 will span Races 5-10, which offer full fields of at least 10 horses.
There will be a Wednesday through Sunday schedule during the Gulfstream Park Meet, which will also offer live racing on Monday, Oct. 10 and Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The Fall Turf Festival stakes program will be highlighted Nov. 26 by a pair of Grade 3 stakes, the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap and the $100,000 My Charmer Handicap.
The $75,000 Showing Up for 3-year-olds and the $75,000 Cellars Shiraz for 3-year-old fillies will kick off the stakes schedule Nov. 5. Sunshine Millions Preview Day will offer seven $100,000 stakes, including the Classic, Turf, Distaff and Sprint previews, Nov. 12.
Source: Gulfstream Park West