Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Calling All Racing Fans; Horse Enthusiasts and Well, Those In The Area.

Days like this Saturday are what our game is all about.

Make your living on the backstretch? Days like Saturday at Gulfstream make getting out of bed before the rest of the working-world resemble a 10 a.m wake-up.

Saturday is the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

Recent winners of the MONSTER Kentucky Derby prep include; Big Brown, Barbaro, Empire Maker and Monarchos. All that foursome has done is win three Kentucky Derbies (Monarchos' was the fastest since Secretariat's in 1973), a Preakness, and a Belmont. The Florida Derby is the audition for the show. The Florida Derby's stage trumps anything these young 3-year-olds have ever came across.

Highlighting Saturday's main attraction are two well-publicized sophomores.

The first story for Saturday's Grade I is the $3.7-million yearling purchase Dunkirk. Dunkirk is by Unbridled's Song, who is by Unbridled. Both of which won their renditions of the Florida Derby.

Debuting earlier this meet, Dunkirk broke his maiden then won impressively again running against winners. The win was so impressive that it brought about the Kentucky Derby buzz. Will he become the first horse in over 100 years to take the roses having not ran as a 2-year-old?

First things first.

Because he has only ran twice, his career earnings are low. Low enough to have him on the outside looking in. The grey may have to win on Saturday just to become eligible for the Roses.

The more experienced Quality Road poses a huge threat to Dunkirk's Churchill Downs ticket. The Fountain of Youth winner's performance was the best by a 3-year-old at the meeting, and arguably one of the top in the country. The son of Elusive Quality's task: taking on two turns for the first time.

These 3-year-olds warrant the attention of anyone in the area. Racing fan? You're not one if you miss Saturday. Seasonal fan? The triple crown catches fire Saturday. Never been to the races? Saturday is the time to break your maiden.

See you there.

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