Gulfstream Park to stage 61 stakes in 2012-2013 season
Gulfstream Park is due to host 61 stakes including 33 graded events worth more than 10 million dollars during its 2012-2013 season. Although the venue will host plenty of big meetings, the highlight of the season is the 62nd edition of the Grade
1 Florida Derby, to be held in March next year.
The $1 million Derby is one of the seven races on March 30th. Other major events on the day are: Grade 2 $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks, Grade 3 $150,000 Rampart, $150,000 Orchid, Grade 3 $100,000 Skip Away and the $100,000 Appleton.
According to Gulfstream's release, the plan has been specially designed to attract the most powerful runners. According to the sketch, the track will host three big contests in February, including the $400,000 Fountain of Youth, $250,000 Davona Dale, and
the $150,000 Canadian Turf.
A lot of important races are set to take place in March 2013. The first weekend of the month will feature three graded meetings such as, the $150,000 Swale, $150,000 Palm Beach, and the $100,000 Herecomesthebride.
The season will be kicked off with the 14th running of the Claiming Crown on December 1st, and will came to an end in April next year. With so many entertaining races in the schedule, the spectators at Gulfstream Park are set to have a lot of
entertainment.
The officials are also quite excited about the new plan, hoping that the most enduring and competitive runners will come to join the party. Timothy Ritvo, Gulfstream president and general manager, stated that despite a few changes in the plan, the meetings
will produce a lot of thrill and drama.
"We believe the stakes schedule for the 2012-13 meeting is the most varied and valuable we have ever offered. Because of the commitment to Thoroughbred racing by our chairman, Mr. Frank Stronach, we have been able to work with our industry partners to bring
the prestigious Eclipse Awards to Gulfstream as well as the popular Claiming Crown,” said Ritvo in a release.
He continued: "We have made some slight adjustments to our stakes schedule, but we believe our horsemen, who have been incredible partners of ours, will find the changes beneficial and rewarding."
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