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Gulfstream Announces Spring/Summer Stakes Schedule

Princess Rooney (G2), Smile Sprint (G3) invitationals top $3.5M stakes program.

Horses break on the turf course at Gulfstream Park

Horses break on the turf course at Gulfstream Park

Coglianese Photos

Gulfstream Park's 2021 Spring/Summer meet will feature a $3.5 million stakes schedule highlighted by the $350,000 Princess Rooney Invitational (G2) and $200,000 Smile Sprint Invitational (G3) July 3, and the lucrative $1.3 million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series, the track announced March 14.

The schedule includes 34 stakes with $500,000 in incentives for Florida-bred and Florida-sired horses courtesy of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.

The Princess Rooney, traditionally a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and the Smile, which make up the Summit of Speed program, were moved to September last year after being run in July since the Summit of Speed's inception 20 years ago at Calder Race Course. The Princess Rooney was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both races will be invitationals this year for the first time.

"This year we focused on bringing back the popular Summit of Speed on July 4 weekend," said Mike Lakow, Gulfstream's vice president of racing. "The Princess Rooney fits perfectly on the national calendar within the female sprint category. We've increased the purse to $350,000 and have made the race an invitational along with the Smile. The Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint Stakes on Sunday, July 4 completes the Independence Day weekend."

The Sire Stakes will begin July 31 and culminate Sept. 25 with the $350,000 In Reality Stakes and $350,000 My Dear Girl Stakes. Florida-bred stakes races will include the $75,000 Big Drama Stakes May 1, $75,000 Musical Romance Stakes and $75,000 Soldier's Dancer Stakes May 29, the $75,000 Ginger Punch Stakes June 12, and the $75,000 Benny the Bull Stakes Aug. 14.

The stakes schedule begins May 1 with the $75,000 Honey Ryder Stakes for fillies at 1 1/16 mile on the turf and the Big Drama Stakes for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs.

"We appreciate the support from Lonny Powell and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association offering an additional $500,000 to enhance the Spring/Summer stakes schedule with bonuses for Florida Bred and Florida Stallion Sired winners," Lakow added.

2021 Gulfstream Park Spring/Summer Stakes Schedule
Date Purse Race Grade Conditions Distance Surface
May 1 $75,000 Honey Ryder   3YO F 1 1/16 M Turf
May 1 $75,000 Big Drama   3&UP, FL Bred 6 F Dirt
May 8 $75,000 English Channel   3YO 1 1/16 M Turf
May 15 $75,000 Roar   3YO 6 F Dirt
May 15 $75,000 Powder Break   3&UP, F&M 1 M Turf
May 29 $75,000 Musical Romance   3&UP, F&M, FL Bred 6 1/2 F Dirt
May 31 $75,000 Soldier’s Dancer   3&UP, FL Bred 1 1/16 M Turf
June 5 $75,000 Game Face   3YO F 7 F Dirt
June 12 $75,000 Ginger Punch   3&UP, F&M, FL Bred 1 1/16 M Turf
June 19 $75,000 Martha Washington   3YO F 1 M Turf
June 26 $75,000 Not Surprising   3YO 1 M Turf
July 3 $350,000 Princess Rooney Invitational 2 3&UP F&M 7 F Dirt
July 3 $200,000 Smile Sprint Invitational 3 3&UP 6 F Dirt
July 4 $75,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint   3&UP 5 F Turf
July 10 $75,000 Carry Back   3YO 7 F Dirt
July 17 $75,000 Mr. Steele   3&UP 1 1/16 M Turf
July 24 $75,000 Monroe   3&UP F&M 1 1/16 M Turf
July 31 $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes - Dr. Fager Division   2YO 6 F Dirt
July 31 $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes - Desert Vixen Division   2YO F 6 F Dirt
Aug. 7 $75,000 Azalea   3YO F 7 F Dirt
Aug. 14 $75,000 Benny the Bull   3&UP, FL Bred 7 F Dirt
Aug. 21 $75,000 Proud Man   2YO 7 1/2 F Turf
Aug. 21 $75,000 Sharp Susan   2YO F 7 1/2 F Turf
Aug. 28 $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes - Affirmed Division   2YO 7 F Dirt
Aug. 28 $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes - Susan’s Girl Division   2YO F 7 F Dirt
Sept. 4 $75,000 Miss Gracie   3YO F 7 1/2 F Turf
Sept. 6 $75,000 Bear’s Den   3YO 7 1/2 F Turf
Sept. 11 $75,000 Sheer Drama   3&UP F&M, FL Bred 7 F Dirt
Sept. 18 $100,000 Armed Forces   2YO 1 M Turf
Sept. 18 $100,000 Our Dear Peggy   2YO F 1 M Turf
Sept. 25 $350,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes - In Reality Division   2YO 1 1/16 M Dirt
Sept. 25 $350,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes - My Dear Girl Division   2YO F 1 1/16 M Dirt
Sept. 25 $125,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes - Wildcat Heir Division   2YO F 1 M Dirt
Sept. 25 $100,000 Hollywood Beach   2YO 5 F Turf