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Maker Brings Hot Hand Into Sunshine Turf Stakes; Filly & Mare Turf Attracts Kelsey’s Cross

Leading the country by wins heading into Thursday's action, trainer Mike Maker will look to keep his momentum going into the weekend when he sends out the pair of Second Mate and Max K.O. in Saturday's $75,000 Sunshine Turf.

The 19th running of the Turf for 4-year-olds and up and $75,000 Filly & Mare Turf for females 4 and older, both at 1 1/16 miles, are among four Florida-bred stakes worth $300,000 in purses on a 12-race Sunshine Day program. First race post time is 11:45 a.m.

Second Mate and Max K.O. each ran in last year's Turf, respectively finishing fifth and eighth behind multiple Grade 2 winner March to the Arch. The runner-up, Muggsamatic, was beaten a head in that race and is now also trained by Maker.

According to Equibase statistics, Maker won 12 races through the first 13 days of 2021. Seven of those 2021 wins have come during Gulfstream's Championship Meet (he's won 18 races since the meet began Dec. 2), and he is seeking his first victory in the Turf. Eccentric Club Racing Stable's Second Mate will be making his fourth straight appearance in the race and first for Maker, having run third in 2018 and second in 2019.

Second Mate raced only twice after last year's Turf, where he was beaten less than three lengths. Both races came at Gulfstream Park West – an optional claiming allowance where he finished off the board following a nine-month layoff, and a runner-up finish to fellow Turf entrant Venezuelan Hug in the Nov. 21 Millions Turf Preview, also going 1 1/16 miles.

“He had a tough beat there. Then he had an injury, got over it and came back well,” Maker said. “We expect a big performance from him.”

Tyler Gaffalione rides Second Mate from Post 1 in a field of nine.

Max K.O. is a new addition to Maker's barn, claimed on behalf of Michael Dubb for $50,000 out of a one-mile claiming event Dec. 13 at Gulfstream where he set the pace for six furlongs before tiring to be ninth. The 5-year-old horse, twice stakes-placed, also led for three-quarters in last year's Turf.

“We claimed him with this race in mind,” Maker said. “We figured if we could ration some of his speed he'll be a little more productive. He's been running off in his races and if we can get him to settle, I think we've got a decent horse.”

Julien Leparoux, winner of the 2010 Turf with Jet Propulsion, gets the assignment on Max K.O. from Post 7.

Anne Scott's 8-year-old gelding Galleon Mast is a six-time stakes winner with $659,080 in purse earnings racing in the Turf for the third consecutive year. He won it in 2018 then ran second in that year's Canadian Turf (G3), and closed to be third by two lengths last winter. Most recently, he had his two-year win streak snapped when fifth in the Turf Preview.

Galleon Mast is trained by David Fawkes, who will also send out William Rainbow's Over the Channel, a troubled sixth in the Dec. 5 Claiming Crown Emerald though beaten just two lengths. The 5-year-old Overanalyzed gelding has been third or better in nine of 13 career races, with five wins.

The Turf Preview was Venezuelan Hug's fourth win in six starts since being claimed for $40,000 last spring by trainer Danny Gargan. A 4-year-old son of Constitution, Venezuelan Hug overcame a tough trip where he got bumped near the eighth pole last out and prevailed under a drive. Overwhelmed in the 1 ¼-mile Belmont Derby (G1) in October, he has won each of his last two races against state-breds.

Rancho Alegre's Monforte has won six of his last eight starts including the 7 ½-furlong Bear's Den and one-mile Showing Up in back-to-back races last summer and fall at Gulfstream. The 4-year-old Carpe Diem colt took a short lead into the stretch of the Turf Preview last time out before fading to seventh.

Proven Strategies, a stakes winner over the Woodbine turf last out and second in the Pennine Ridge (G2) last summer; stakes-placed Shamrocket and Clear Destination are also entered.

Kelsey's Cross Aims for $75,000 Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf
Sanford Bacon and Patrick Biancone Racing's Kelsey's Cross, a multiple graded-stakes placed mare who became a stakes winner her last time facing state-breds, is set to launch her 5-year-old season in the $75,000 Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf.

It will be the 11th consecutive stakes start for the 5-year-old daughter of Anthony's Cross, who has won each of her only two starts against fellow Florida-breds, both at Gulfstream – a maiden special weight triumph in May 2019 and the 1 1/16-mile Ginger Punch last June, her most recent win.

“She's super fit and we're ready,” Biancone's daughter and assistant trainer Andie Biancone said. “The last race she only had one breeze going into it and we kind of just wanted to give her a race and help get her back into form, and I think she ran really well for having such a long layoff and only one breeze. She's a lot more fit coming into this race.”

Kelsey's Cross got bumped at the start and found herself trailing the field entering the stretch of the 1 3/16-mile Via Borghese Dec. 19, her first race in three months. She rallied to get up for fifth, beaten less than five lengths.

“She loves Gulfstream, and she's game. She's super-game, super competitive,” Biancone said. “She's more ready going into this race. We're looking forward to it.”

Kelsey's Cross has three wins, two seconds, five thirds and more than $285,000 in purse earnings from 13 career starts, placing third in the 2019 Wonder Again (G3) in just her third race and the 2020 Hillsborough (G3) last March. She was second, beaten a neck in the Dayatthespa last summer at Gulfstream.

“I think she's got to be one of the toughest Florida-bred fillies on the turf. She's really tough. She's a cool horse,” Biancone said. “When we got her, we got her basically for free. She kind of came in a little package deal of horses. She doesn't have a huge pedigree or anything like that but she's really proven herself. She's got a lot of class. It's awesome to get to work with her.”

Hall of Famer John Velazquez rides Kelsey's Cross from Post 2 in a field of nine.

Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher and Steven Weiland's Sun Summer enters the Filly & Mare Turf off successive victories going one mile at Churchill Downs and Aqueduct last fall. Claimed for $40,000 last summer at Belmont Park, the 5-year-old Broken Vow mare is seeking her first win in her first start in nearly two months.

“She had a ground-saving trip at Aqueduct last time, ran a dynamite race and got the job done,” trainer Mike Maker said. “She's doing super. It looks like the time between races really does her well. She's pretty easy to ride so you can place her wherever you need her.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. gets the call on Sun Summer from Post 4.

Mad Dog Racing Stable, Isla Stables and Big Frank Racing Stable's Sugar Fix ran fifth by 2 ½ lengths in the Lake George (G3) last summer at Saratoga, her first start since being claimed for $40,000 by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. In her most recent effort, the 4-year-old filly ran second as the favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Claiming Crown Tiara Dec. 5 at Gulfstream.

D.J. Stable and Jonathan Green's Ceci Valentina is entered to make her turf debut for trainer Joe Orseno. The 4-year-old filly owns three wins, a second and three thirds in 10 career tries on the dirt, including stakes victories in the 2019 FSS Susan's Girl at Gulfstream and 2019 Juvenile Fillies Sprint at Gulfstream West

Rounding out the field are Bienville Street, second to Grade 2 winner Always Shopping in the Monroe last fall and coming off a one-mile optional claiming allowance victory Dec. 18, both at Gulfstream; Mo of the West, fourth last out in the 1 1/16-mile Tropical Park Oaks Dec. 26; Lookinlikeaqueen, and Lovely Luvy. Heiressindy is entered for main track only.

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Gulfstream West: Galleon Mast Chasing Three-Peat In Millions Turf Preview

Anne D. Scott's multiple stakes-winning gelding Galleon Mast, unraced since Labor Day, gets the chance to end one streak and continue another when he makes his return in Saturday's $60,000 Millions Turf Preview at Gulfstream Park West.

The 1 1/16-mile Turf Preview for 3-year-olds and up is one of two Florida-bred grass stakes on the nine-race program, joined by the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf going one mile. First race post time is 12:35 p.m.

Galleon Mast has yet to win a race in five scattered starts this year, all in stakes, with one second and three thirds. The 7-year-old has won at least once in each of his first five seasons, including back-to-back editions of the Turf Preview at Gulfstream West, where he has three wins and a second from seven career ties.

“It's been a little frustrating this year,” trainer David Fawkes said. “I gave him a lot of time and when he came back I don't think he got back into his game like I thought he would. But, I'll tell you what. Right now, he's as good as I've ever seen him. He's put weight on. Everything's great about what he's doing.”

Galleon Mast won the 2018 Turf Preview by a nose and last year's edition by a head. He hasn't won since, finishing second in the Soldier's Dancer in June and third in the Jan. 18 Sunshine Millions Turf, July 25 Mecke and Sept. 7 Mr. Steele, all at Gulfstream.

“He's training excellent. I'm really excited about running him,” Fawkes said. “He's doing really, really good.”

Galleon Mast has been first or second in 23 of 38 career races, 10 of them wins, with eight thirds and $657,370 in purse earnings. Second in the 2018 Canadian Turf (G3) during the Championship Meet, he has shown Fawkes no signs of slowing down.

“We always spaced his races out pretty good. At the same time, the way things have been going this year there's been races I've wanted to run him in and haven't had the opportunity,” Fawkes said. “His longevity is incredible. He's been with me for so long. He's a real cool horse. It'd be great to win this race a third time.”

Paco Lopez, aboard for each of his previous Turf Preview wins, rides back from Post 7 in a field of 10.

Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables' Muggsamatic beat Galleon Mast by a length in the Soldier's Dancer and returns as one of two horses entered by trainer Mike Maker, along with Second Mate. Muggsamatic, 6, is a 10-time career winner exiting a third-place effort Sept. 16 at Kentucky Downs.

Eccentric Club Racing Stable's Second Mate finished off the board in a one-mile optional claiming allowance Oct. 29 at Gulfstream West behind Max K.O., who also returns in the Turf Preview. Another 7-year-old gelding who, like Galleon Mast, is by Mizzen Mast, Second Mate was beaten a head and neck when third in last year's Turf Preview.

Network Stables' Sir Seamus had a three-race win streak snapped when fourth in an off-the-turf optional claiming allowance going 1 1/8 miles Sept. 12 at Gulfstream. The 4-year-old gelding has won four of six starts since trainer Carlos David – who won two stakes at Gulfstream West last weekend – claimed him from Maker for $16,000 in February.

“He's not easy to train but I think we've got his number, and he's done well. He's been amazing. His second start for us he didn't run well. He got a little bumped around the turn and he just kind of gave up that day,” David said. “He might have twisted his knee a little bit or something, because he was a little sore the next day. But after that we did a little work with him and he won three in a row.

“They were cheaper races, but he had great numbers,” he added. “He likes to be on the lead and he's very hard to rate, so if you're going to have a horse pressing him he's going to have a hard time. He's won at a mile and a sixteenth before, and if we get a good trip he should be able to do it.”

Rancho Alegre's 3-year-old Monforte has yet to race at Gulfstream West but is six-for-11 lifetime including a victory in the 7 ½-furlong Bear's Den Sept. 5 and has won four of five starts since being claimed for $35,000 by trainer Ruben Gracida last fall.

Scraps, winner of the 2019 Bear's Den, Hero Up, Sassy But Smart and Venezuelan Hug complete the field.

Homebreds Quinoa Tifah and Sweet Souper Sweet, both exiting stakes wins on different surfaces, will get the chance to match that feat on the grass when they square off in Saturday's $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Arindel's Quinoa Tifah will be stretching out to her longest distance yet, having most recently won the seven-furlong Our Dear Peggy by three lengths in front-running fashion Sept. 26 at Gulfstream Park, a race originally carded for the grass but contested over a sloppy and sealed main track. The Gemologist filly broke her maiden on the dirt in April and was fifth in the 5 ½-furlong Bolton Landing in her turf debut Aug. 19 at Saratoga.

The Bolton Landing was also the lone turf start for Live Oak Plantation's Sweet Souper Sweet, who finished sixth. The daughter of First Samurai is unbeaten in two starts on the synthetic surface at Presque Isle Downs, breaking her maiden June 27 and sprinting to a 2 ¼-length victory in the 6 ½-furlong Presque Isle Debutante Oct. 5.

Also coming off a victory is Palm Beach Racing Partnership's Viva La Reina, who put away her foes early and kept on for a 1 ¼-length maiden special weight triumph Oct. 17 at Gulfstream West, a race moved from the turf to a fast main track. Samy Camacho, up for that start, gets the return call from Post 1.

“I was actually impressed with the way she handled the dirt that day. I knew she had talent because she worked amazing from the gate and on the dirt, but the distance was a little bit challenging going seven-eighths for the first time,” trainer Carlos David said. “She pulled it off and she did it going away, so I was very impressed by that. And I'm thinking she's going to be even better on the turf and with the mile.”

Viva La Reina has breezed over the turf course at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, since her maiden score. She is by Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1) and 2013 Dubai World Cup and runner-up in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

“If I were to enter her in a race going six furlongs on the dirt, I think she would have been impressive anyway and she would have gotten a better number,” David said. “So, we're going to give her this race on the grass because she's well-bred for it and I think she can handle the distance.”

Also entered are Beach Chick, Double Blessed, Emirates Affair, Inthewinnerscircle, Special Inclusion, Tantalizing Gal and Yafa.

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‘Quirky Old Horse’: Galleon Mast Needs The Right Timing In Mecke Stakes

Timing will be everything for Anne D. Scott's Galleon Mast in Saturday's $60,000 Mecke at Gulfstream Park.

The 7-year-old gelding has built a rather impressive resume during his 36-race career, winning 10 races, including six stakes, and finishing in the money in 29 races, including 16 stakes.

However, the son of Mizzen Mast has been a source of frustration for trainer David Fawkes due to his inclination to idle in the stretch after making the lead, a bad habit that has surely contributed to his total of 13 second-place finishes.

“It can get frustrating, but he's a good horse. He's a lot of fun to have in the barn. You want horses like him in your barn,” Fawkes said. “He's as good as any horse can be when he gets the right trip.”

The key to success for Galleon Mast is for the jockey to time things just right in the stretch, not giving the graded stakes-placed veteran an opportunity to idle by making the lead too far away from the finish line.

Galleon Mast appeared to be on his way to his seventh stakes victory in the Soldier's Dancer at Gulfstream June 6 after making a three-wide sweep off the turn into the homestretch under Paco Lopez. However, the Florida-bred gelding took the lead in mid-stretch, giving Muggsamatic more than enough time to mount a winning rally.

“Paco screwed up. He sent him too soon,” Fawkes said.

Lopez, who had been victorious in his two previous rides on Galleon Mast (in the 2018 and 2019 Sunshine Millions Turf Preview), is currently riding at Monmouth Park and will be replaced by Emisael Jaramillo, who finished a late-closing second last year the only time he has ridden Galleon Mast.

Prior to his second-place finish last time out, Galleon Mast finished eighth in the Pan American (G2), in which he never settled under Joe Bravo.

“That didn't work out at all. He's a very quirky horse. If he doesn't like you, he won't run a jump,” Fawkes said. “We had a situation when he came back from his long layoff, he dropped the exercise rider, because it wasn't his regular exercise rider, who was on vacation – and he's the kind of horse that never does anything bad. He's a neat horse, but he's a quirky old horse.”

Galleon Mast holds a wide advantage of stakes experience over his rivals in the Mecke, in which three of his rivals will step into stakes company after victories in optional claiming allowances – Owner/Trainer Louie Roussel III's Sailing Solo, D P Racing Inc.'s Harbour Master, and Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC's Lahinch.

Sailing Solo, a 5-year-old son of Smart Strike, was particularly impressive while making his Gulfstream debut June 26, registering a front-running 2 ¼-length victory under Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado. Harbour Master, a British import who was stakes-placed in California, rounded into form in his third start for trainer Patrick Biancone July 5, rallying to victory under Luca Panici. Joe Orseno-trained Lahinch, stakes-placed last year, scored by 1 ½ lengths in his second start off a long layoff June 5.

Champion Equine LLC's Battle of Blenheim, Jerick Llopiz's Forever Mo, Michael Newcomer's Il Faraone, Muzeyyen Karabulut's Sharm El Sheikh and My Purple Haze Stables' Thunder Ride round out the main body of the field.

Monarch Stables Inc.'s Art G Is Back tops a list of five main-track only entrants. The Ron Spatz-trained 4-year-old, a multiple-stakes winner on dirt who is also multiple stakes-placed on turf, is scheduled to make his 2020 debut if the Mecke is moved from the turf to the main track.

Louis Roussel III's Examiner, My Purple Haze Stables' Sqeezadios, Heehaw Racing's Snap Hook and Midnight Rider LLC's I'm a G Six are also main-track-only entrants.

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