Race of the Week: Saturday's Gulfstream Park Sprint

‍The Lead:
Little went as anticipated in last week's Royal Delta at Gulfstream, so we'll look to restore order in this space for Saturday's Gulfstream Park Sprint. With Knightsbridge rolling in the Mr. Prospector and Fred W. Hooper already this Championship Meet, the local dash scene gets a chance for a fresh face in his absence this Saturday.

The Gulfstream Park Sprint will be part of the Sunset 6 wager between Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita (final 3 races at each track daily).

​​Field Depth:
Grade 2 and Grade 3 winner DAMON'S MOUND has the signature wins in the lineup. ROLANDO and GREAT NAVIGATOR are listed stakes winners. DAMON'S MOUND has the class edge.
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Pace:
It's not obvious where the serious gas comes from, but it should be competitive early amongst WOUND UP, DAMON'S MOUND, ROLANDO, AJAAYB and perhaps BEELINE and CON COMPANIA. Hard read on pace.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

#1-GREAT NAVIGATOR: Consistent sort was no match for a tougher Mr. Prospector cast last out that included Knightsbridge and Super Chow. While he’s only won 2 of his last 11, he never misfires at 6 furlongs and gets back to his preferred trip. Not the fastest sprinter from the gate and needs a clear break or the field will come down and take his real estate.

#2-JACK’S PROMISE: Scored an allowance victory over this track and trip on Christmas Eve and makes his first start since for a Dale Romans barn that is going very well of late at GP. Bullet workout Feb. 8 similar to the zip he showed prior to last win. He’s 2-for-3 at Gulfstream and son of GP successful sprinter Promises Fulfilled. Plenty to like while making his first rise into the stakes ranks.

#3-AJAAYB: Victor Barboza took over the training of this 6-year-old over the winter and didn’t see any noticeable progress when returning him at Tampa for an allowance on Feb. 7. This one has struggled in stakes and has nibbled at Gulfstream with a 7: 0-3-3 mark. Prefer others.

#4-BEELINE: Versatile pace player wired the Hutcheson here 2 years ago, but is 1-for-7 in sporadic appearances since. The Riley Mott trainee turns to Tyler Gaffalione for the first time while looking to a return to his preferred GP surface as the potential wake-up call. Solid marks at 6 furlongs on dirt play to his strength.

#5-WOUND UP: Southern California transplant has battled some tough foes in the Claiming Crown Sprint and Mr. Prospector in recent starts and held his ground nicely. Jose D’Angelo barn has been off its normal success early in 2026 but having Irad Ortiz Jr. back aboard will be a boost. Could show strong early pace just inside the potential pacemaker and favorite, hooking up in a duel.

#6-DAMON’S MOUND: Speedster wire the Sunshine Sprint last out and successfully followed his open-company win in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler at Aqueduct. He’s back in a groove after showing such initial promise to open his career. The 6-year-old is 2-for-2 at Gulfstream and note trainer Bill Mott’s 8: 4-1-0 meet in stakes at the Championship Meet. The horse to beat under regular pilot Junior Alvarado.

#7-ROLANDO (pictured): The 2025 Hutcheson Stakes winner over this track and distance, he’s 1-for-6 since and hoping a return to his favorite surface shakes things in the right direction. He’s 3-for-6 at Gulfstream and never missed a trifecta locally. The 4-year-old by Vekoma caught a pretty tough field at Tampa in the Pelican Stakes Feb. 7 and wheels back quickly. His Hutcheson win was on 13 days’ rest, so the pattern entices and John Velazquez has had success with him prior.

#8-CON COMPANIA: Chilean export is 2-for-8 in America while racing for 3 different trainers in Florida. Good effort around 2 turns last time out before succumbing to eventual Pegasus World Cup winner Skippylongstocking et al and should be strong at 6 furlongs. Versatile running style from outside post puts the task in Miguel Vasquez’s hands.

Most Likely Exotics Contender:
DAMON'S MOUND should be in the hunt every step of the way over a track and distance he likes.

Best Longshot Contender:
ROLANDO repeats a successful, short-rest pattern from 2025 and has run well locally and at this trip.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$50 exacta part-wheel DAMON'S MOUND over ROLANDO and CON COMPANIA ($100).

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