Gulfstream Park announced Monday a $3.5 million Spring/Summer stakes schedule highlighted by the $350,000 Princess Rooney Invitational (G2) and $200,000 Smile Sprint Invitational (G3) Saturday, July 3, and the lucrative $1.3 million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series.
The schedule includes 34 stakes with $500,000 in incentives for Florida-bred and Florida-sired horses' courtesy of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA).
The Princess Rooney, a “Win & You're In” Challenge Series race for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and the Smile, which make-up the Summit of Speed, were moved to September last year after being run in July since its inception 20 years ago at Calder Race Course. The Princess Rooney was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Both races will be invitationals this year for the first time.
“This year we focused on bringing back the popular Summit of Speed on July 4 weekend,” said Mike Lakow, Gulfstream's vice president of racing. “The Princess Rooney fits perfectly on the national calendar within the female sprint category. We've increased the purse to $350,000 and have made the race an invitational along with the Smile. The Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint on Sunday, July 4, completes the Independence Day weekend.”
The Sire Stakes will begin on July 31 and culminate Sept. 25 with the $350,000 In Reality and $350,000 My Dear Girl. Florida-bred stakes races will include the $75,000 Big Drama May 1, $75,000 Musical Romance and $75,000 Soldier's Dancer May 29, the $75,000 Ginger Punch June 12, and the $75,000 Benny the Bull August 14.
The stakes schedule begins Saturday, May 1 with the $75,000 Honey Ryder for fillies at 1 1/16 mile on the turf and the Big Drama for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs.
“We appreciate the support from Lonny Powell and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association offering an additional $500,000 to enhance the Spring/Summer stakes schedule with bonuses for Florida Bred and Florida Stallion Sired winners,” Lakow added,
For a complete stakes schedule, go to: http://gulfstreampark.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2021-stakes-spring-summer.pdf
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