Gulfstream Today 2.5.25: Shisospicy Takes Wednesday Feature in Grass Debut

By David Joseph —-

GULFSTREAM TODAY

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Morplay Racing’s talented filly Shisospicy, twice stakes-placed on dirt, made a triumphant turf debut with a popular front-running score in Wednesday’s co-feature at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Jose D’Angelo, Shisospicy ($3.60) covered five furlongs over a firm course in 54.82 seconds to take the entry-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-old fillies by 2 ¾ lengths.

“I always liked this filly,” D’Angelo said. “She’s the kind of horse that makes you happy every morning. She makes your work easier.”

Shisospicy broke alertly and found herself quickly in front pressed by Blossoming Erudite on her right flank and Laurice further out with Candy Quest saving ground on the rail in fourth. The gray or roan daughter of dirt sprint champion Mitole set fractions of 21.20 and 43.44 seconds before opening up at the top of the stretch and pulling clear.

A $200,000 yearling in July 2023, Shisospicy romped by 6 ¼ lengths in her unveiling last October at Gulfstream. From there she ran third in the 6 ½-furlong Fern Creek at Churchill Downs and second in the six-furlong Mockingbird Jan. 4 at Oaklawn – both as the favorite.

The switch to grass came after Shisospicy posted a sharp half-mile work in 46.40 seconds, third-fastest of 43 horses, Jan. 29 on the turf at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“Her last two races, she tried to win. I know she ran well, but I was wanting more from her,” D’Angelo said. “When you check the mare side she has some turf, so that’s why I worked her on the grass last week thinking of this race.

“[We thought] if she handled the grass good then we’d enter here and decide her future. She responded very well. I’m so happy with her. She’s a gifted and talented horse,” he added. “We have a horse that can go both ways. That’s very special.”

Wednesday’s co-feature saw Calumet Farm homebred Native Shaman ($6.20) sweep into contention on the far outside rounding the far turn and reel in Capture the Flag late to win Race 8, a 1 ½-mile optional claiming allowance for 4-year-olds and up. The winning time was 2:30.89 on the Tapeta.

Thursday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $325,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 will have an estimated pool of $325,000 when racing resumes Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

First race post time is 12:20 p.m.

Thursday’s sequence covers Races 4-9, starting with a claiming event for maiden fillies and mares 4 and older sprinting six furlongs. His Choice, runner-up facing similar company in back-to-back starts, looks to break through against such rivals as One Special Act, third to His Choice last out, and Windrush, who adds blinkers off a fourth-place finish Jan. 22.

Race 5 is an optional claiming allowance for 4-year-olds and up scheduled for one mile on the grass. Royal Majesty, third in the Pennine Ridge (G3) and Hill Prince (G3) last year, the latter Nov. 9, is the 5-2 program favorite in his 4-year-old debut. Drum Roll Please, winner of the 2024 Jerome, and Activist Investing, unraced since finishing seventh in the 2023 Virginia Derby (G3) are also entered.

Eight 3-year-olds are entered in Race 7, an optional claiming allowance sprinting five furlongs on the all-weather Tapeta course. Turbulent Force chases a third consecutive win to start his career after graduating on the turf Dec. 6 and going gate to wire in an entry-level optional claimer Jan. 9, both at Gulfstream, the latter on synthetic.

The feature comes in Race 8, an open second-level allowance going 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta that drew a field of eight 3-year-olds led by 2024 Armed Forces runner-up Tank, second after setting the pace going the distance on turf Jan. 11; Krioyo, riding a three-race win streak; Scarecrow, third in the Armed Forces; and four-time stakes-placed Classic of Course.

In the Rainbow 6, the jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

Who’s Hot: Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. added three more wins to his Championship Meet leading totals Wednesday with Shisospicy ($3.60) in Race 5, Native Shaman ($6.20) in Race 2 and Minty ($7.60) in Race 9. He tops the standings with 66 wins and $4.4 million in purse earnings; Tyler Gaffalione is next (45/$3 million).

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