Well folks, a "handicapping challenge" awaits us at the new Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida, but at least we won't have to pay for the right to be challenged! Back in late June, a part of south Florida racing history was reduced to rubble, as a wrecking ball changed Gulfstream Park's famed grandstand and clubhouse to dust, commencing a multi-year construction project which will not conclude until the start of the 2006 season. While we will not have a permanent facility housing racing fans, we will get to "see" some of the finest racing in North America during the winter, on two completely rebuilt, and reconfigured tracks which have not only been enlarged, but will now host new racing distances.
The new tracks are indeed the challenge, as we have no comparison "par times" to help during our handicapping decision making process. I spoke with Mr. Jim Vanderbosch, Vice President of marketing for TrackMaster (I utilize their incredible product - TrackMaster PLUS as my only handicapping tool) about the "par time situation" the other day, and he noted that TrackMaster will indeed produce "par times" based on past year's performances, but will quickly revise those times as this Equibase company analyzes racing data as this new meet progresses. Here's what has happened at Gulfstream. Both racing surfaces (some complaints from horsemen last year about the dirt track) have been completely rebuilt, converting the "old" mile dirt course into a 1 1/8 th mile main track, and their stellar turf course which measured a scant 7.0 furlongs last year, now stretches out to a mile!
In addition to removing the original racing surfaces which were first used in competition in 1939, Gulfstream also removed about half of the barns, and the "classy" walking ring. About the only recognizable remnants remaining are the tote board, the jockey's room, and the administration building. What is being built is a 300,000 + square foot, four story grandstand and clubhouse, which will be integrated into a project dubbed "The Village at Gulfstream Park" which will also include shopping, entertainment, and residential areas, along with an ultra-modern thoroughbred racing facility. Although it will be a little inconvenient this season, spectators visiting Gulfstream this winter will find not only free parking, but free admission. The track has erected two huge tents for spectators which will sit on the turn to the homestretch, and the only folks who will actually be able to see the finish line directly will be track officials, judges, and stewards who will be observing the finish line from temporary scaffolding. Now on to some handicapping strategies ... and once again, these are the strategies that I used last year with the original track configuration. The new tracks will offer some interesting options this season. Last year, there was no one mile - one turn racing option here at Gulfstream, but that standard route distance (one turn because of the new size) has been added. Trainers will probably try their sprinters at the one-turn mile distance, and the 8.0 furlong test will be a boon for those entries who struggled finishing the 9.0 furlong distance last year. I also think that it is a great distance for entries coming off 30-50 day layoffs, and will also be tested by this year's crop of three year olds who have broken their maidens at 6.0 furlongs.
Gulfstream attracts horses from some of the best barns in North America for this winter meet. Although the on-track barn area has been reduced, spaces have been reserved at the nearby Palm Meadows Training Center, and spaces there have been claimed by Bobby Frankel, Greg Foley and Darrin Miller coming in from Kentucky. Henry Cochran, Dave Kassen and Ronny Werner will be moving their top T-breds from The Fair Grounds in New Orleans, and I expect (as always) that Michael Hushion, Frank Labocetta, and Dom Schettino will be shipping their entries down I-95 from the N.Y.R.A. circuit. "Rumors have it" that two of Southern California's leading conditioners, Mike Mitchell, and Jeff Mullins will be shipping in their respective steeds for the meet as well! The point here is not to note that we will have some competitive entries from "The Class A" tracks coming in, but to note that "shippers" into South Florida do indeed need some time to adjust .. especially those coming from Kentucky and New York.
Also it is important to consider the leading riders and trainers who have been successful here in Florida, especially in the opening weeks of the meet - although this season, they may have less of an advantage since all jockeys and trainers will be facing this "new track challenge!" Sure the Jerry Baileys, Jose Santoses, and The John Velazquezes of riding stardom will be on the scene, but don't overlook Florida based jocks like Eddie Castro, Manny Cruz, Manny Aguilar, Gary Boulanger, and my favorite, Eibar Coa who will challenge the "bigger names" with ease!
In terms of successful local trainers who indeed to "hold their own" against the "snowbird invaders" from the north ... don't overlook the skills of conditioners like Daniel Hurtak, Angel Salinas, Emanuel Tortora and Bill White in your handicapping preparations.
Sprints - this year also include a "rare distance" of 7½ furlongs, but early speed burners held an incredible advantage here at Gulfstream last season. Fortunately for me, using TrackMaster PLUS software, that statistic is easy to find ... on the "snapshot screen" just sort with the early speed icon, and the horse with the "lowest number" is the entry that will be out in front at the first call ... now take that to the bank with a South Florida based Jockey/Trainer combo ... especially in 6.0 furlong sprints!
Route Races - last season, "pressers" (horses who were near the lead - but not in the lead when the field turned for home) ruled the longer distances ... but this year, with the new configuration, the mile distances will be contested around only one turn, requiring less skill from the Jockey/Horse combo, so quite honestly, this "angle" may change dramatically! In the one turn mile races on other tracks that I handicap, "pace profile closers" in route races - both dirt and turf - seem to have an advantage .. we'll have to play a "waiting game" in the opening weeks of the meet, to see how this track "plays out!"
Although we will be a "tented society" this year here at Gulfstream, mainly catching the action on some huge "Jumbo-Tron's" which will be available to follow the action, this track will continue to produce some of the most exciting racing that this winter season offers. Its glorious history included names like Cigar, Skip Away, Kelso, Forego, Bold Ruler, Nashua, and Swaps, who preformed before huge crowds. The crowds will be "down" a little this season - Gulfstream also does not plan on having those highly attractive "Concert Series" on the weekends which have attracted "party-hearty" crowds, replacing them with their version of a "house band" to "work the tents!" This winter season will feature no fewer than 47 stake races, with 30 of them qualifying as the "graded variety" including the $1,000.000.00 Florida Derby which will be staged three weeks later than usual, this season being contested on April 2nd. Another highlight of the upcoming season is the 3rd annual Sunshine Million, which helps add to the greatness that this track and meet had in the mid to late 1980's ... I'm looking forward to this meet this winter .. it will indeed provide a serious "handicapping challenge" as we see this "new track" evolve ... meet me in "the tent" - and then in the cashier's line!
Rick NeedhamEquibase/TrackMaster
