Ami's Flatter Makes Successful Return at Gulfstream
Ivan Dalos’ Ami’s Flatter, third in the Florida Derby (G1) last winter, made a successful return to the races with a four-length victory in Wednesday’s eighth race at Gulfstream Park.
Confidently handled by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, in his second mount since returning from riding the Magic Millions program in Australia last weekend, the 4-year-old Ontario-bred son of Flatter ran the seven-furlong allowance in 1:21.58 over a good main track.
“We were really excited about running this horse back. He had a pretty exciting campaign last year and got very fatigued at the end of it so it was nice to see him come back in good order,” winning trainer Josie Carroll said.
Breaking from post eight in the nine-horse field of older runners as the 6-5 favorite, Ami’s Flatter ($4.40) raced uncharacteristically close to a 22.62-second quarter mile set by Sun Magic and a 45.71 half from To the Victor. Sitting in the clear three wide down the backstretch, Ami’s Flatter took command at the top of the stretch and shook off a bid from Muntij before drawing away impressively.
Muntij was a clear second, 10 ¼ lengths ahead of Grade 3-placed Juan and Bina.
“He never breaks that sharp but he’s been off a good while so I think he was just feeling good. Once he was in that position, Johnny just sat on him,” Carroll said. “He’s such a good judge of what he has under him, I really wasn’t worried. I knew who was on him and I figured he’s not going to be there if he doesn’t have horse.”
Ami’s Flatter opened his 3-year-old campaign running second in the Mucho Macho Man last January at Gulfstream. From there he was fourth in the Sam Davis (G3), second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and third in the Florida Derby before returning to Carroll’s northern base at Woodbine.
Back at home, Ami’s Flatter was seventh in the Marine (G3) and eighth in the July 5 Queen’s Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, before getting the rest of the year off. Carroll said she will see how the horse comes out before picking out a return spot.
“He’s really a lovely animal,” she said. “This was our first step and now we’ll sort of focus on where we’ll go next.”
Zulu, Morning Dancer School in Paddock for Friday Starts
Michael Tabor, Mr. John Magnier and Derrick Smith’s Zulu returned to the site of his impressive debut victory last month, schooling in the paddock before Wednesday’s second race at Gulfstream Park.
Zulu and Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Morning Dancer both stood in the paddock stall and took turns around the walking ring in preparation for their next scheduled starts during Friday’s 11-race program.
Purchased for $900,000 last March as a 2-year-old in training, Zulu led every step of the way in his career unveilingDec. 5, opening day of the Championship Meet, dueling at the front before drawing clear in the stretch to win by two lengths in 1:10.xx for six furlongs.
The 3-year-old bay son of champion Bernardini has had three works since his victory, including a bullet half-mile Jan. 8 at Palm Beach Downs. He drew outside post eight in the seven-furlong main track sprint under Velazquez.
Chilean-bred Morning Dancer, Group 2-placed in his native country in May 2014, made his North American debutNov. 20 at Gulfstream Park West, his first start in more than 14 months. He stalked the pace before weakening late and finishing fourth, beaten 12 ¾ lengths by stablemate African Fighter.
Velazquez is named to ride from outside post eight in the 1 1/16-mile allowance over the main track.
20-Cent Rainbow 6 Hit for $76,799
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 wager was solved on Wednesday to open Sunshine Millions week at Gulfstream Park.
Ashbrook Farm’s Panama Will, favored in a field of 14 turf runners, went gate to wire in Wednesday’s 10th race finale and complete the 10-9-3-8-1-10 combination that was worth $76,799.38 to one lucky bettor.
Trained by Rusty Arnold, Panama Hill was one of three horses live to take down the Rainbow 6 jackpot. The payoff was the third-largest of the Championship Meet, which was last hit for $262,634.84 on Jan. 7.
The carryover jackpot is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.
Who’s Hot: Jockey Juan Leyva and trainer Michael DiMauro teamed up for a pair of winners with Awesome Challenge ($51.40) in the fifth race and Big Yum ($15) in the seventh. Jockey Paco Lopez bookended the 10-race card with victories on Samus ($9.20) in the opener and Panama Will ($7.40) in the finale.
Rainbow 6 Payoff: $76,799.38
Source: Gulfstream Park