Gulfstream Park opened in 1939 and gradually evolved into the most famous racetrack in Florida. The marquee event of the meet is the Grade 1 Florida Derby. The race was first contested in 1952 and today it serves as a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown series. It is not uncommon for horses that fare well in the Florida Derby to perform well in the Kentucky Derby, so handicappers watch this race closely. In 2006, Barbaro won the Florida Derby and went on to capture the Kentucky Derby before being injured in the Preakness and losing his life after a brave battle to survive. Big Brown won in Florida in 2008 and captured the first two legs of the Triple Crown.
Not all horses that fare well at Gulfstream Park do well in Kentucky, however. The 2012 Florida Derby winner, Take Charge Indy, could only manage a disappointing 19th in the Run for the Roses.
Older horses also find a full stakes schedule at Gulfstream Park with the Grade 1 Donn Handicap attracting many competitive horses each year. The Donn was first ran in 1959 but may be most famous for Cigar who was undefeated and won the race twice in 1995 and 1996. Cigar was piloted by Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey who holds the record for Donn wins with six victories.
Gulfstream Park was also very good to female jockey Julie Krone. In 1993, Krone became the first female to win a riding title at Gulfstream with 98 wins. In recent years, Javier Castellano and John Velasquez have topped the jockey standings at Gulfstream. The most successful trainer by far is Todd Pletcher who compiled a nine-year streak atop the standings. Chad Brown has recently emerged as a potential challenger to Pletcherโs throne and bears watching when handicapping this meet.
Something to keep in mind about Gulfstream Park is the Rainbow Six bet which has been known to pay out a whopping seven figures! You can learn more about the Rainbow Six and how to play it at Gulfstream when you create an account at Bet Americaย or at another oneย of theย reviewed online racebooks.
Graded stakes run at Gulfstream Park:
Grade 1
Donn Handicap
Florida Derby
Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap
Grade 2
Gulfstream Park Oaks
Davona Dale Stakes
Forward Gal Stakes
Fountain of Youth Stakes
Ft. Lauderdale Stakes
Gulfstream Park Handicap
Honey Fox Handicap
Hutcheson Stakes
Pan American Handicap
Inside Information Stakes
Mac Diarmida Handicap
Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship
Swale Stakes
Grade 3
Appleton Handicap
Canadian Turf Handicap
Deputy Minister Handicap
Hal’s Hope Stakes
Herecomesthebride Stakes
Holy Bull Stakes
Hurricane Bertie Handicap
Marshua’s River Stakes
Mr. Prospector Handicap
Old Hat Stakes
Orchid Handicap
Palm Beach Stakes
Rampart Stakes
Sabin Stakes
Skip Away Handicap
Sugar Swirl Handicap
Suwannee River Handicap
Very One Handicap
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