Bahamian Squall Back On Track at Gulfstream

Donald Dizney’s Bahamian Squall captured his first race in more than a year in impressive fashion Thursday, stalking a fast pace before taking over on the turn into the homestretch and continuing on to a 1 ¼-length victory.

Winless since capturing the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap on July 6, 2013, the 5-year-old son of Gone West ran seven furlongs in a swift 1:21.47 over a fast track, despite a brief rain shower during the running of the $40,000 optional claiming allowance.

“That was fast,” said trainer David Fawkes, whose 7-10 favorite was ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman. “He’d been training real good for this race.”

Bahamian Squall made his 2014 debut on July 5 at Gulfstream finishing third in the Housebuster Stakes before finishing a distant seventh in the Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga. Before shipping back to Gulfstream, the Florida-bred sprinter finished third in a restricted stakes at Saratoga over a sloppy track.

“When he ran here the first time, he always needs his first race back. Then, he went to New York and that was a tough race, a tough Grade 1. Then, he came back in the non-winners-of-a-sweepstake race and it poured rain, and he does not want a wet track,” Fawkes said. “I was having a heart attack when they were running and it started to rain today. He had excuses every time. This was a perfect comeback race for him.”

Purple Egg, ridden by Orlando Bocachica, close to finish second,  3  ¼ lengths ahead of Rock Alex and jockey Edgar Prado.

Bahamian Squall, who has earned more than $550,000 in 20 starts, finished a troubled sixth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), beaten less than three lengths by victorious Secret Circle. Fawkes said it was unlikely that he would return to Santa Anita for this year’s Sprint.

“At this point, I don’t think so, but I’ll have to talk to Mr. Disney,” Fawkes said. “He was pretty impressive today.”

Fawkes mentioned the $75,000 Kenny Noe Jr. at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 15 as a likely target. 

Who’s Hot:  Leading rider Edgard Zayas rode back-to-back winners aboard Kaylyn’s Prayer ($3.80) in the second and Five Wars ($3.80) in the third.

Rainbow 6 Carryover: $50,000

Super Hi-5 Carryover: $4,203.59

Source: Gulfstream Park