Gulfstream Park press room update

From HALLANDALE BEACH, FL, the 4-year-old filly Crevalle d’Oro—acquired for five hundred thousand dollars at the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale about a month and a half earlier—quickly began to validate that outlay on Saturday, as a late surge carried her to the Suwannee River purse of one hundred fifty thousand dollars; for example, she threaded past a tiring rival near the finish. Serving as a stakes prep toward the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) scheduled here for Jan. 24 with a five hundred thousand dollar pot, the win came via a strong late run rather than early speed.

Bred in Kentucky and by Constitution, the Jose D’Angelo-trained Crevalle d’Oro had won four of eighteen starts, and, after a fourth-place effort in the Nov. 1 Goldikova (G3) at Del Mar, she was subsequently bought at Keeneland by TCC Stables LLC and Michael and Jules Iavarone; as a simple example, the purchase followed shortly after that graded stakes try.

D’Angelo explained that the mare arrived from the sale in top shape via trainer Lauren Robson, but because she flew Kentucky to California and then to the auction, recovery time was given; the short freshening, he added, proved beneficial today. He noted this could be seen in her demeanor—think an easy, confident walk—before the race.

He also described her as special, saying the way she moves advertises it, and the stable aimed at this spot specifically to springboard to the Pegasus Filly and Mare; by his account, the plan came together perfectly. In other words, the target was set first and the race was used as the route.

Out of the gate, Leo Toro showed the most early dash, yet Spinning Colors wrested command after an opening quarter timed in 21.98 seconds and a half split in 45.39; for instance, the tempo stayed sharp throughout. Positioned fourth saving ground on the backstretch, jockey Jorge Ruiz angled Crevalle d’Oro three wide turning for home and, in the final strides, wore down a stubborn Movin’ On Up.

Reef Runner back to winning ways in Janus

Owned by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, Reef Runner was making his first appearance since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), and a scorching pace combined with Tyler Gaffalione’s patient handling set the table for him to land the tenth running of the Janus; as an example, he waited until the last furlong to strike. The firm five-furlong turf was covered in 54.18 seconds, and he drew clear by one length over And Uwish, a tidy outcome for handicapping watchers.

As the bettors’ choice and early pacesetter, Coppola wound up third, this being his first start for trainer Dale Romans after roughly four months on the sidelines. The effort served as a comeback tightener rather than an all-out push.

Trained by David Fawkes, Reef Runner boasts four victories from eleven turf appearances at Gulfstream and has never finished worse than third there. In the Janus itself, while Coppola blazed an initial fraction of 21.67 seconds and reached the half in 42.63, Gaffalione sat sixth of eight before unleashing a middle-of-the-course rally to seize control inside the last approximately fifty yards of the wire during this race meet.

“When it looked like Coppola got loose and comfortable on the front, I tightened up a bit, but he’d been away,” Fawkes said. “Reef Runner delivered his kind of race; those middle splits around forty-two seconds probably helped him, and, when ridden the right way, his turn of foot is serious.”

A Saudi Arabia trip could be next for Reef Runner. Fawkes added that, should an invitation arrive, they will accept and go.

Ms. Bucchero surges on the rail to take Sugar Swirl

Owned and trained by Diane Morici, Ms. Bucchero powered through the inside late to secure the forty-third Sugar Swirl by one and one-half lengths, clocking six furlongs on the main track in 1 minute 9.47 seconds; for example, she hugged the rail instead of swinging wide.

Nic’s Style earned second, while the favorite and defending champion Mystic Lake settled for third at the finish. The exacta and trifecta formed without a photo, despite the brisk fractions.

A five-year-old by Bucchero, Ms. Bucchero now has ten wins from nineteen starts and career earnings topping four hundred thousand dollars; only five times in her life has she ended up outside the top three. That consistency underscores her reliability for connections.

Tracking in second on the fence through an opening 22.48 seconds, she briefly checked under Irad Ortiz Jr. near the turn and slipped to fourth—for instance, a momentary loss of momentum. Nevertheless, she re-rallied along the rail through the lane to capture her ninth victory in fifteen attempts at this distance.

“When she steadied for a moment, I thought we might be in a tough spot,” assistant trainer Colton Moore said. “She regrouped and fought on; I’ve never seen her train better than she has lately. Horses like her are why you show up every day to do this.”