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2011 Gulfstream Park Preview

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3 Nov 1999: Lemon Drop Kidd runs on the track in a early morning workout before the Breeders Cup at the Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport
3 Nov 1999: Lemon Drop Kidd runs on the track in a early morning workout before the Breeders Cup at the Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport

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

Date

Gr

Race

Age

Sex

Distance

Surface

5-Jan-11

III

Old Hat

3yo

Fillies

6.0

Dirt

8-Jan-11

III

Hal's Hope Hcp.

4up

8.0

Dirt

9-Jan-11

III

Marshua's River

4up

F&M

8.5

Turf

9-Jan-11

III

Fort Lauderdale

4up

8.5

Turf

15-Jan-11

III

Sugar Swirl

4up

F&M

6.0

Dirt

15-Jan-11

III

Mr. Prospector Hcp.

4up

6.0

Dirt

30-Jan-11

III

Holy Bull

3yo

8.0

Dirt

30-Jan-11

II

Forward Gal

3yo

Fillies

7.0

Dirt

5-Feb-11

III

Suwannee River Hcp.

4up

F&M

9.0

Turf

5-Feb-11

I

GP Turf Hcp.

4up

9.0

Turf

5-Feb-11

I

Donn Hcp.

4up

9.0

Dirt

12-Feb-11

II

GP Sprint Championship

4up

7.0

Dirt

13-Feb-11

III

Hurricane Bertie Hcp.

4up

F&M

6.5

Dirt

19-Feb-11

III

Sabin Hcp.

4up

F&M

8.0

Dirt

19-Feb-11

II

Mac Diarmida Hcp.

4up

11.0

Turf

20-Feb-11

III

The Very One Hcp.

4up

F&M

11.0

Turf

26-Feb-11

II

Fountain of Youth

3yo

9.0

Dirt

26-Feb-11

II

Hutcheson

3yo

7.0

Dirt

26-Feb-11

II

Davona Dale

3yo

Fillies

8.0

Dirt

27-Feb-11

III

Canadian Turf

4up

8.0

Turf

5-Mar-11

III

Honey Fox Hcp.

4up

F&M

8.0

Turf

12-Mar-11

III

Palm Beach Stakes

3yo

9.0

Turf

12-Mar-11

II

Gulfstream Park Hcp.

4up

8.0

Dirt

13-Mar-11

III

Herecomesthebride

3yo

Fillies

9.0

Turf

19-Mar-11

II

Inside Information Hcp.

4up

F&M

7.0

Dirt

20-Mar-11

III

Orchid Hcp.

4up

F&M

12.0

Turf

26-Mar-11

III

Pan American

4up

12.0

Turf

2-Apr-11

III

Rampart Hcp.

4up

F&M

9.0

Dirt

2-Apr-11

II

Gulfstream Oaks

3yo

Fillies

9.0

Dirt

3-Apr-11

III

Appleton

4up

7.5

Turf

3-Apr-11

II

Swale

3yo

7.0

Dirt

3-Apr-11

I

Florida Derby

3yo

9.0

Dirt

3-Apr-11

III

Skip Away

4up

9.5

Dirt