Ghalia stamped herself as candidate for Gulfstream Park Oaks

Sumaya U.S. Stables’ Ghalia ($3.40) stamped herself as a candidate for the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) April 1 with a gutsy performance in Wednesday’s featured ninth race that kept her record clean after two career starts.

The 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who debuted Jan. 22 at Gulfstream with a 6 ¾-length victory, set a pressured pace before drawing away to win Wednesday’s 6 ½-furlong entry level optional claiming allowance. The Todd Pletcher-trained Ghalia ran the distance in 1:19.31 to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths over late closing Modacious.

“I’m proud of her, bringing her back on a little bit of a short rest and stretching out a little bit in distance. She was under pressure the whole way. She broke OK, but kind of had to rush up there a little to protect her position. She had a lot of pressure from the outside while setting fast fractions on this type of [demanding] track. So I was proud of her for digging down and finding a little more. I think that should move her forward.

“At some point we’ve got to stretch her out,” Pletcher added. “I wouldn’t be afraid to try her back in the Gulfstream Oaks April 1.”

In Wednesday’s sixth race, Pletcher saddled Diamond Jim ($8.20) for a game one-length triumph over Chad Brown-trained Switzerland, who debuted as the 1-5 favorite in the six-furlong maiden race for 3-year-olds.

John Velazquez rode both Pletcher winners.

Earlier on the card, a $112,178 Super Hi-5 carryover generated a $734,771 handle on the $1 vertical multi-horse wager for Wednesday’s first race. Sir Hannoun, the 4-1 second choice outfinished 6-5 favorite Money Market, keyed the 3-5-6-4-7 combination that returned $897.50.

Who’s Hot: Two other jockeys rode a pair of winners. Corey Lanerie notched a double aboard Appa ($12.40) in the second and Bourbon City ($2.80) in the sixth. Emisael Jaramillo won aboard Fist Bump ($15.60) in the third and Vendita ($19.80) in the eighth.

Saturday's Guarantees: Gulfstream will have a guaranteed Late Pick 4 pool Saturday of $300,000 and a guaranteed Late Pick 5 of $200,000. If no one hits the Rainbow 6 Thursday or Friday, Saturday's guaranteed pool for the 20-cent wager will be $200,000.