Gulfstream Park 'Championship' Meet opens 12/3

[tenfurlongs]

Not sure what champions are anointed here...maybe the Claiming Crown races tomorrow (12/4)? Two 2yo turf mile stakes today for the opener. If you were unaware, GP now has three racing surfaces to utilize this winter; Dirt, turf, and AW (Tapeta). The AW surface has enticed a couple of new barns to ship in this season (Stidham, Proctor, Davis). On the jockey front, Jose Ortiz is staying in NY for the winter, Johnny V is heading for Santa Anita, so Irad has some breathing room with Saez, Gaffalione, and Zayas trying to knock him down a peg.  

Racing secretary looking to limit turf racing to three during weekdays, four on the weekend, stakes notwithstanding. Also not writing turf claimers for less than $35,000, so I'd expect Tampa's turf program to see an influx of shippers and possibly overflow fields.

www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP120321USA-EQB.html

www.drf.com/news/championship-meet-opens-three-surfaces-after-addition-tapeta




TW