Sunshine Stakes Day selections at Gulfstream Park

A quartet of stakes races for Florida-bred runners will lead a fine Saturday of racing at Gulfstream Park.

Race 8 - Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf S.

Nine have been entered, with one being a main-track only contestant, in the 1 1/16-mile affair. #6 Sugar Fix had an especially productive 3-year-old campaign while going 7-for-13. The Joseph trainee was second in the local prep for this affair, and the daughter of Treasure Beach does not face the deepest field in the Filly and Mare Turf, either. Tyler Gaffalione has the assignment.

Race 9 - Sunshine Classic S.

The 9-furlong dirt test attracted a field of seven. Defending champ #1 Noble Drama will be a tough beat while in good form for Fawkes. Gone Astray gelding loves the Gulfstream surface, and he could be peaking third time off the layoff.

I will use the horse to beat with #7 Kaufy Bean, who improved in a big way in 2020. The 4-year-old son of Adios Charlie was a powerful winner the last time he raced over the course, and I like his prep race when closing from well back in a turf sprint most recently. Gaffalione taking the reins adds to the appeal.

Race 10 - Sunshine Sprint S.

A total of nine contenders will travel 6 panels on the main surface in one of the more competitive races of the day. One of my major plays on the card will be with #1 Old Time Revival for Ralph Nicks. Brethren 6-year-old makes just his second appearance in 13 months, but he has major early foot and might take this field all the way on the front end from the rail with a clean break. The price should be right with Jaramillo in the stirrups.

Race 11 - Sunshine Turf S.

The final stakes race on the afternoon will have nine go postward in the 1 1/6-mile contest. With the likelihood of a swift and contested pace in the contest, I will seek a stout closing type to get up late. #4 Shamrocket intrigues me in his second for Pletcher. Tonalist colt has never missed the board at Gulfstream, and I think that he will get a fine trip beneath Irad.