Gulfstream Sprint Showcase Set for Saturday

The first Saturday of the 2010 Gulfstream Park season on Jan. 9 will get to a fast start with the new Gulfstream Sprint Showcase. The event offers five sprint stakes worth a total of $475,000, three of which are Grade 3 events.

The $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs has been captured in recent years by such accomplished sprinters as Cajun Beat, Kelly’s Landing and Noonmark. Prominent among the prospects for Saturday’s renewal are Homewrecker Racing and Avalon Farm’s Custom for Carlos, Robert N. Clay’s Formidable, and Rose Family Stable’s Prince Joshua.

The $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3), formerly known as the First Lady, is the filly and mare companion test to the Mr. Prospector and captured the last three seasons by Any Limit, Sugar Swirl and Game Face. Likely to lead the cast on Saturday are Lori and George Hall’s Bold Union, Silly Goose Racing Stable’s D’wild Ride, and Alex Rankin’s Tar Heel Mom.

The $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes and $100,000 Old Hat Stakes (G3) are companion events for 3-year-olds at six furlongs, the latter for fillies, and rounding out the Showcase line-up will be the 1st running of the $75,000 Gulfstream Turf Sprint for older horses at five furlongs on the grass.