34 stakes slated for upcoming meet

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park has announced its spring-summer stakes schedule, which comprises a record 34 races and is worth $4.1 million in purses, an increase of $250,000 over last season.

As usual, the schedule will be highlighted by the $1.4 million Florida Sire Stakes series along with the Summit of Speed program, which includes the $250,000 Princess Rooney and $250,000 Smile Sprint. They are Win and You’re In races for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and Sprint, respectively. The Summit of Speed card includes three other stakes valued at $75,000 apiece, the Carry Back, Azalea, and Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint. The Summit of Speed will be held June 30.

The $400,000 In Reality and its filly counterpart, the $400,000 My Dear Girl, are the final races in the Stallion Stakes series and will be run Sept. 29. They are two of eight stakes to be run that afternoon, including the $150,000 Wildcat Heir for 3-yearolds and up.

The opening two legs of the Sire Stakes series will be held on Aug. 4 and Sept. 1.

“Our 2018 stakes schedule reaffirms our commitment to a strong year-round racing calendar,” Gulfstream general manager Bill Badgett said. “With a strong stakes schedule and more horsemen deciding to remain in south Florida or keep a year-round presence here, we’re looking at this being the best spring and summer of racing in Florida in a decade.”

The spring-summer meet runs from April 4-Sept. 29.