December 19, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
I’ll be Transparent…
Win for the Money’s intentions are clear ahead of this Saturday’s $215,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2T) at Gulfstream Park.
While the 5-year-old gelding failed to live up to his name last time out with a 10th-place finish in November’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T), Win for the Money can avenge that uncharacteristic flop with a return to form in the 1 1/8-mile Fort Lauderdale.
A performance reminiscent of his upset Woodbine Mile (G1T) score at 13-1 would certainly do the trick for the Mark Casse charge, who will return to Gulfstream for the first time since claiming May’s Mr. Steele Stakes.
Oddsmakers like Win for the Money’s chances, listing the Dylan Davis mount as the slight 5-2 choice on the opening line.
Home for the Holidays
Tumbarumba rumbles into the $165,000 Harlan’s Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream Park looking to put an end to a five-race winless drought.
It hasn’t all been bad for the Tyler Gaffalione mount, who’s lowest finish of the down spell was a fourth last out in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), but the battle-tested veteran has higher ambitions than simply landing on the podium.
Fortunately, Tumbarumba finds himself in comfortable quarters this Saturday at Gulfstream, the very site of his only 2024 triumph (Grade 3 Whispering Angel on Jan. 27).
For the season, the 4-year-old gelding still sports a respectable 1-4-0 line through six starts.
Leading the way at 8-5, a return to the winner’s circle is certainly in the cards for Tumbarumba.
Comfort Cruise
After a successful expedition in September’s Noble Damsel (G3T), Ocean Club can reel in a second consecutive graded trophy on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Facing a cast of 11 rivals in the $165,000 Suwannee River (G3T), Ocean Club (4-1) is in good spirits following a three-month break that began right after the Noble Damsel.
The downtime was welcomed for the 4-year-old filly, who compiled a strong 3-0-1 record across seven starts this season.
Also working in Ocean Club’s favor is that 10 of her 15 career starts have come at Gulfstream. In those 10 attempts, the Jack Sisterson trainee owns a 4-2-1 line with two stakes scores (Martha Washington and Monroe).
Stay the Course
Magnitude’s rookie campaign has seen its share of ups and downs, but the 2-year-old colt will look to end his maiden voyage on a high note in this Saturday’s $100,000 Gun Runner at Fair Grounds.
A fourth in his professional debut on Jun. 6 didn’t deter Magnitude from showcasing his talents next time out (5 ¾-length decision at Ellis Park). In fact, it earned him a promotion.
Although his introduction to graded competition didn’t go as planned (seventh in the Grade 3 Iroquois), the resilient runner once again found his footing the following race.
Add it all together and you have a strong-willed youngster with a 2-0-0 record through four starts.
Magnitude heads into the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner at 2-1, behind only opening line choice Admiral Denis (9-5).
Catch Me if You Can
Speedyness (5-2) will try to channel his inner Jahmyr Gibbs to unseat Copper Tax (7-5) as the projected winner in Saturday’s $100,000 Robert T. Manfuso at Laurel Park.
Much like the speedy and shifty Detroit Lions running back, Speedyness must find the open lane to win the foot race to the finish line.
As his billing suggests, Copper Tax presents a formidable challenge. The multiple stakes winning 3-year-old colt may only pay pennies on the dollar, but that’s because he routinely finds himself alone in the winner’s circle. In 13 starts, Copper Tax carries a stellar 8-1-2 slash line with more than $514,000 banked.
Speedyness, who captured February’s Miracle Wood Stakes, is 6-1-3 through 14 starts.