Race Preview: Suwannee River Stakes - Gulfstream Park, February 9, 2013

The only stake race on Saturday at Gulfstream Park we haven't looked at is the Grade 3 Suwannee River for fillies and mares. The nine furlong race drew a field of eight with four graded stake winners.

Leading Astray won the Grade 3 Pucker Up at Arlington Park last September, but hasn't found the winners circle in three races since. The Belong to Me filly exits a third place finish in the Grade 3 Marshua's River, a race where she encountered some trouble. Also coming out of that race are the winner Hard Not to Like and Channel Lady. Hard Not to Like was a little dismissed last time, but responded well to win her first race since October. She is bred to be a good one and has been working well in the mornings. Channel Lady just missed and was two and one-half lengths clear of third. She will be a graded stakes winner at some point during her career.

The other two graded stake winners are Romacaca and Kya One. Kya One, bred and started her career in France, easily took the My Charmer Handicap in November at Calder. She has been off since then, but has run well off of layoffs throughout her racing career. Romacaca is once again the pace of the race. The seven-year-old mare has won over $940,000 with 16 wins in 33 races.

Inglorious, first time Joel Rosario, Affair Dabbler, probable longest shot on the board, and Abaco complete the field. Abaco has won her last four and is making her graded stakes debut. Even at five, the upside may be there.

Post time for the Suwannee is 4:59 ET.