2011 Gulfstream Park Preview

Live racing for the 2011 Gulfstream Park meet begins on Wednesday, January 5^th and will run every Wednesday through Sunday until the conclusion on Saturday, April 30^th, just a week before the 2011 Kentucky Derby.  The Grade 1 Florida Derby, the centerpiece of the Gulfstream meet, will run on Sunday, April 3^rd and will feature of purse of $1 million. 

Gulfstream is one of my favorite meets of the year due to a strong three-year-old stakes program, an excellent assortment of turf races, and a typically deep jockey and trainer pool.  It's also the first track that I dive into after the couple of quiet months following the Breeders' Cup.  I'm not a huge fan of winter racing in cold weather climates (probably why I've never been much of an Aqueduct inner track player), so Gulfstream is usually where I begin my wagering in the new year.  

This year's Gulfstream meet will have a good deal of star power as Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo is expected to make his first start of his three-year-old season at track (although he is not anticipated to run in the Florida Derby, according to statements made by trainer Todd Pletcher).  Awesome Feather, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, is also expected to kick off her three-year-old campaign at the track. 

One of the changes at the Hallandale Beach track in 2011 will be a new post time for the start of its daily race card.  The first race during this year's meet will start at 12:55 Eastern, which is twenty minutes earlier than in 2010. 

Paco Lopez won the 2010 jockey title at Gulfstream after winning 70 races in 404 mounts (17% Win, 44% In-The-Money, $1.7 million in purses).  Todd Pletcher won the trainer title with 35 wins from 152 starters (23% Win, 52% ITM, $1.7 million)

Gulfstream offers the usual assortment of wagering options but has yet to implement reduced minimums on Tris, Pick 3s, or Pick 4s.  The track does offer a $0.10 Super.

Below the jump you can find a list of all graded stakes for the 2011 Gulfstream meet.    

Table 1 - 2011 Gulfstream Park Graded Stakes Calendar