Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
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HALLANDALE BEACH — Stakes races at 6 furlongs are not often carded at Gulfstream. Saturday’s Gulfstream Park Sprint was one of only two all season. But it was the perfect distance for Unified and just a stride or two short for odds-on favorite Mind Your Biscuits.
Unified dashed to the front right out of the gate, controlled the pace throughout, then had to withstand a furious rally by Mind Your Biscuits to prevail by a neck.
Mind Your Biscuits won the 7-furlong Grade 1 Malibu in his previous start with a late surge and probably would have been the winner Saturday at that distance.
The wire came up just in time for Unified, who hadn’t been out since suffering the only defeat of his five-race career in July at Monmouth. Coincidentally, that stakes was called the Pegasus, a title Gulfstream appropriated for its $12 million race last month.
The layoff contributed to Unified, the second choice at 2-1, being so quick at the start, according to his trainer Jimmy Jerkens.
“He didn’t really like breaking from the 1, but when you’re fresh like this and come popping out of there, you end up being the best speed,” Jerkens said.
Jerkens advised jockey Jose Ortiz this might be the case.
“He said we have a horse outside us with speed,” Ortiz said, “but if [Unified] breaks very sharp and you think you can be there, go ahead. He broke really sharp and I took the lead as easy as I could.
“He was comfortable the whole way, and when I asked him to go at the three-16ths pole, he gave me everything he had.”
It turned out that Early Entry, who was on a threerace winning streak, was the fastest of the others early. He stalked Unified around the turn and into the stretch. As Unified began to put distance between them, Mind Your Biscuits was rolling from the back of the pack, cutting into Unified’s margin with every stride. Ortiz heard him coming. “I knew somebody was coming on the outside,” Ortiz said. He didn’t know who it was. When he realized he had beaten the big favorite, Ortiz pumped his arm at the finish.
“I celebrated because Mind Your Biscuits is a tough horse. He closes hard every time.”
There will be no rematches in Florida. Gulfstream got a bargain attracting two such talented horses for the Sprint, a Grade 3 worth only $100,000. Jerkens said Unified is heading north to his home base at Belmont with races such as the Grade 1 $1.25 million Met Mile a prime goal. Mind Your Biscuits is going to Dubai, his trainer Chad Summers said, and will make his next start in the $2 million Golden Shaheen on March 25.
Derek’s Smile, eased in the Swale on the dirt, got back on the turf, where he had won his only start easily, and led every step of the $75,000 Texas Glitter. Ridden by Paco Lopez, Derek’s Smile covered 5 furlongs in 55.77.
The filly counterpart, the Melody of Colors, also was won gate to the wire as Morticia held off a stretchlong challenge by Attiya. Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Morticia’s final time, 55.06, was faster than the boys’.