Gulfstream Park has relaxed many of its COVID-19 protocols beginning with Friday's card, including open access to outdoor areas, guests not being required to wear face coverings outdoors, and the return of free admission to the apron, walking ring and breezeway. Other changes include the removal of most barriers and temporary plexiglass, no temperature checks at entrances and the welcoming back of families with small children. Guests will still be required to wear face masks inside and to practice social distancing.
French Champion Sire Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}–Sichilla {Ire}, by Danehill), will be available to cover mares on Southern Hemisphere time for €100,000, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Friday.
In 2021, Siyouni is the sire of G1 French 2000 Guineas hero St Mark's Basilica (Fr) who also won the G1 Darley Dewhurst S. at two. Last year, Siyouni's 2019 G1 Prix du Jockey Club victor Sottsass (Fr) captured the G1 Qatar Prix l'Arc de Triomphe. The bay has also sired G1 French 1000 Guineas winners Dream And Do (Ire) and Ervedya (Fr), the latter successful three times at the highest level. He is also responsible for six-time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr), who won the G1 Prix de Diane.
From only six runners in the Southern Hemisphere, the 14-year-old has four black-type performers, including listed winner See You In Spring (Aus), while he also has had yearlings sell for up to A$550,000 in Australia.
Effective Friday, May 28, the voided claim rule at Gulfstream Park has been expanded. “All claimed horses will now be examined by the Track Veterinarian after cooling out, and the claim will be voided if the horse is observed to have bled or is determined to be unsound,” explained the Florida HPBA in a release. “After the Track Veterinarian notifies the Stewards that the claim has been voided, the successful claimant has a 15-minute grace period to request that the claim be allowed.”
Previously, claims at Gulfstream were only voided if a horse suffered a fatal injury during or immediately after a race, or was vanned off and determined to be unsound or to have bled.
“We were pleased to work with Dr. Dionne Benson and the Stronach Group team at Gulfstream Park to get the expanded voided claim rule adopted,” Florida HBPA President Stephen Screnci said. “Studies have demonstrated that more stringent voided claim rules protect the horses, and they protect our horsemen as well. We are in full support.”
Perfect in four career attempts to this point, including a facile success in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (2000mT) last month, Carrot Farm's Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) will jump a warm favourite to take his winning streak to five in Sunday's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) at the Fuchu Racecourse in the Japanese capitol.
Blessed with excellent tactical speed, Efforia has managed to be a forward factor in each of his races to date, sitting fairly handy to the pace when besting Victipharus (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths in the G3 Kyodo News Hai at headquarters in February, an effort that stamped him as the second-elect for the Satsuki Sho. While Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) faltered that afternoon, Efforia sat a cosy inside trip and punched through the gap when it came before streaking home a three-length winner from pace-pressing Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Having drawn the paint for the Derby, Efforia should once again enjoy the run of the race Sunday.
“He hasn't dropped his condition since the Satsuki Sho and he's in good shape,” said young jockey Takeshi Yokoyama. “He seems to have become stronger. In his last work, he finished off very well and kept things going until after the winning post, demonstrating his ability. It would be great if I could win the Derby with him.”
WATCH: Efforia winning the G1 Satsuki Sho
Satono Reinas (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will attempt to become the first filly to beat the boys in the Derby since Vodka (Jpn) (Tanino Gimlet {Jpn}) in 2007 and should she succeed, would provide her legendary sire with a fourth straight winner of the race. Winner of her first two tries, including a newcomers' event in June, the bay was nosed out by Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December and flew home in her lone start this term to miss by a neck to the white filly in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) Apr. 11. She is certain to appreciate this stretch out to the metric 12 furlongs, having passed last week's G1 Yushun Himba.
“I think she'll actually be better suited to this longer trip,” said trainer Sakae Kunieda, who conditioned the great Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). “I'm excited about the challenge she faces here, and I'm not really thinking about the opponents in the race, but only her performance under these conditions.”
Wonderful Town (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) rallied from off the speed to best Lagom (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G3 Kyoto Nisai S. last November and resumed from a November layoff to win the G2 Aoba Sho over Sunday's course and distance May 1. A victory would give Deep Impact his first Derby winner as a broodmare sire and second overall, joining Kikuka Sho hero Kiseki (Jpn), also a son of Rulership.
Deep Monster (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) looms an interesting longshot proposition. A listed winner over 2200 metres in late February, the son of US MGISW Sisterly Love (Bellamy Road) raced last but one into the final half-mile of the Guineas, was flushed seven or eight wide into the lane and finished up willingly to be seventh, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. He's drawn nicely in four to save some ground this time and the longer trip and, potentially, sounder underfoot conditions could help his chances.
