Gulfstream will race on improved, wider turf course starting Dec. 1

Gulfstream Park has released the first condition book for its 2023-2024 winter meet, which begins Friday, Dec. 1.

Opening weekend of the winter meet will mark the opening of Gulfstream’s improved turf course. Three races are scheduled on the course opening day and three on the first Saturday of the meet. The first stakes races scheduled for the turf are the Wait a While and the Pulpit, a pair of 7 1/2-furlong juvenile stakes on Dec. 9.

Over the summer Gulfstream announced plans to widen the turf course 10 to 15 feet on the inside. The widening had to be done toward the inside since the Tapeta track is located to the outside of the turf. Gulfstream also strengthened the material under the sod.

The Dec. 2 program features the finals of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes in the $300,000 In Reality for 2-year-olds and the $300,000 My Dear Girl for 2-year-old fillies. Both of these Florida-sired races, the first stakes of the meet will be run on dirt. The card also includes the Sabal Palm, an overnight handicap for horses aged 3 and up at a mile on the Tapeta.

The condition book can be found at: https://www.gulfstreampark.com/racing-office/#downloads.

Gulfstream’s winter meet will once again be highlighted by Pegasus World Cup Day, featuring the $3 million World Cup (G1) and $1 million World Cup Turf (G1) on Jan. 27, the $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) Feb. 3; the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) on March 2 and the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on March 30.