Turf specialists get weekend spotlight at Gulfstream

Santa Anita Park will be the center of attention on Saturday, but fans of turf racing will be able to enjoy a trio of intriguing and competitive stakes at Gulfstream Park as an appetizer before Santa Anita's stakes action ramps up.

Gulfstream will offer the $75,000 H. Allen Jerkens, run over 2 miles for 3-year-olds and up; the $75,000 Tropical Park Derby, at a distance of 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old colts; and the $75,000 Tropical Park Oaks, at a distance of 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies. 

Each race is likely to revolve around trainer Mike Maker, who entered an astonishing 10 horses in the three stakes, led by Fancy Liquor in the Tropical Park Derby.

Here we take a closer at the entries for each of the three grass events.

H. Allen Jerkens, Race 6, 2:38 PM ET

Saffie Joseph's High Noon Rider will look to prove his 55-1 win in the Claiming Crown Emerald was not a fluke when he takes on 10 rivals in this two-mile race. Though he won at 1 1/16 miles last time out, High Noon Rider brings valuable marathon experience into this affair. Hieroglyphics appears to be the best of Maker's four runners in here. He had won three races in a row, including one at 1 3/8 miles, before settling for fifth in the Claiming Crown Emerald.

2020 H. Allen Jerkens (LS)

Tropical Park Derby, Race 8, 3:40 PM ET

This race was won last year by Todd Pletcher's Halladay, who went on to become a Grade 1 winner. Sole Volante, who won the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and competed in the Belmont Stakes and the Kentucky Derby, will return to turf for the first time since winning his second career start over this surface in the Pulpit Stakes. The son of Karakontie is bred for turf and won his first two starts over the surface before being pointed to the Kentucky Derby Trail by trainer Patrick Biancone.

Pletcher's Colonel Liam figures to take plenty of wagering support as he exits a close fourth-place finish in the Saratoga Derby behind Domestic Spending and Gufo, two of the best 3-year-old turf horses in the country. American Turf (G2) winner Fancy Liquor looks like the best of four Maker runners in this field. His versatile running style could prove key in a race without an abundance of pace.

2020 Tropical Park Derby (LS)

Tropical Park Oaks, Race 10, 4:42 PM ET

Maker's Grade 3 winner Stunning Sky will be happy to see the turf once again after running poorly in the off-the-turf Mrs. Revere (G2) last out. She is the class of the field, but her deep closing style often leaves her with too much to do.

Arnaud Delacour has a pair of interesting fillies in this spot. Secret Time has an improving pattern and is likely to have a big say in the outcome while making her third start in North America. It will be the first start in this country for Delacour's Lindy Lou, who owns a win over a firm left-handed turf course in France.

2020 Tropical Park Oaks (LS)