Almanaar Earns First U.S. Win in Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1)

By David Joseph —-

Almanaar; All Photos By Kenny Martin

Shadwell homebred uses late turn of foot to win $350,000 stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Shadwell Stable’s homebred Almanaar stormed down the center of the turf course to earn his first victory in the United States in the $350,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) on Saturday afternoon.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Almanaar finished three-quarters of length clear of his stablemate, Beach Patrol, in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. But Beach Patrol was subsequently disqualified from second to fourth for interfering with fourth-place finisher, War Correspondent. All Included, who was third under the wire in the eight-horse field, was bumped up to third.

The race’s 2-1 favorite, Divisidero was well positioned turning for home, but wound up sixth. Flatlined, the 120-pound highweight, was never a factor and checked in seventh.

Almanaar, as the third choice at 3-1, was ridden patiently by Rosario, who had him in sixth position through six furlongs. The 5-year-old son of Dubawi improved his position around the turn and was taken four-wide at the top of stretch.

Beach Patrol, the 5/2 second choice ridden by Florent Geroux, had set the pace while being pushed along by Eirigh through fractions of 23.59, 47.08, and 1:10.23. Beach Patrol was still running strongly in the final furlong on the inside, while stablemate Almanaar was devouring ground in the middle of course. In deep stretch, Geroux hit Beach Patrol left-handed and they made contact with War Correspondent and jockey Tyler Gaffalione, hence the disqualification.

Chad Brown, the trainer of Almanaar and Beach Patrol, said the winner had run so well in his last start, when he finished second in the Fort Lauderdale (G2), he believed the gelding was ready for a top effort on Saturday.

“He ran great the last race,” said Brown, who won the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap for the first time, after narrow losses in the race the last two years. “The other horse [Flatlined] beat him fair and square, he followed him the whole race. Joe Bravo, riding Flatlined, got up at wire and beat him. I think this horse today had a little more room to work at an mile and an eighth. He got a beautiful set up. Joel fits the horse perfectly; it’s the second time in a row he has given him a flawless trip on this turf course. I’m proud of the way the horse drove him down the center of the track.”

Rosario said he bided his time with Almanaar so he would have something to work with in the stretch.

“He broke really well. I wanted to follow somebody but I got shut off a little bit on the first turn,” the rider remarked. “But I took it step by step, trying to take my time with him so I could let him finish in the end. He did well. Turning for home I was a little outside but he was very happy, really enjoying where he was and giving everything to me.”

As for Beach Patrol, Brown said he was very happy with the 4-year-old’s first race since finishing second in the Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar Dec. 3. Last year, the son of Lemon Drop Kid, became a Grade 1 winner in the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington.

“I think everyone in the house saw what we see all the time — what a scrapper this horse is,” Brown remarked. “That he’s off a layoff and he fought, and fended off everyone but his stablemate, is remarkable. I will have to look at the DQ again. I thought my first look at it they both came in and met together, but it is what it is. We’ll just move forward from here.”

Brown, whose prowess with turf runners is well documented, said there are plenty of options for both Almanaar and Beach Patrol in the future.

“Everything is in play for these two horses — the Woodford Reserve on Derby Day at Churchill is a Grade 1 I have interest in with both these horses,” the trainer said. “Down the road, there are races like the Manhattan at a mile and a quarter. Beach Patrol is already proven at a mile and a quarter in the Secretariat. There are lots of options. Hopefully, they stay healthy.”

Almanaar completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:45.63 over a firm course. He ran the final eighth of a mile in a solid 11.61. He returned $8 for a $2 win bet.

Bred in Great Britain, Almanaar was a Group 3 winner in France before coming to the United States and entering Brown’s barn in 2016. He elevated his record to five wins in 14 starts and raised his earnings to $431,849.

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets.