TRINNIBERG WINS THE SWALE STAKES!

Trinniberg, lightly regarded at odds of 7-1, turned a front-running trip into a runaway victory in Gulfstream Park's $150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon, pulling away powerfully to win by at least six or seven lengths.

Ridden to victory by Willie Martinez, Trinniberg got off to a great start and raced away to take a clear early advantage while setting fractions of :22.65 and :45 flat. Bahamian Squall, Hello Prince, and Silver Menace were all bunched together in the second position, with 6-5 favorite Ever So Lucky not far behind them either. Also close up early were Good Morning Diva and Seve.

As the horses made their way down the backstretch and around the turn, Trinniberg continued to lead the way, gradually adding to his lead as the field approached the homestretch. Hello Prince and Ever So Lucky attempted to make runs at him, but he turned them back in good fashion as the field entered the homestretch. From there, the race belonged to Trinniberg, who cruised home under urging to win the seven-furlong race in 1:21.69.

Hello Prince finished second, while Ever So Lucky, Silver Menace, and Good Morning Diva rounded out the top five.

-Keelerman

Swale Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. III), to be run on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. A seven-furlong race for three-year-olds, it has drawn a number of highly promising young colts, including Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) winner Motor City Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Ever So Lucky.

1. Quick Wit
2. Trinniberg
3. Silver Menace
4. Motor City
5. Hello Prince
6. Bahamian Squall
7. Ever So Lucky
8. Musical Flair
9. Seve
10. Good Morning Diva

-Keelerman

TRAVELIN' MAN WINS THE SWALE!

Travelin Man showed a new dimension in the Swale Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, coming from just off the pace to win the seven furlong race by two lengths.

Ridden by John Velazquez, the colt was sent off as the 2-5 favorite off of a second place finish in the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) last month. The early pace was set by longshot Razmataz, who set a fairly slow pace of :23.13 and :46.42. He was being tracked by Travelin Man, who was rating comfortably in second on the outside. Indiano and and Little Drama trailed the field.

Turning for home, Travelin Man made a bold bid to take the lead. Under little urging from Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt put away Razmataz in the stretch and drew away to win easily. Little Drama and Indiano were closing belatedly, but neither threatened the winner. Travelin Man completed the seven furlongs in 1:21.94.

Indiano narrowly edged out Little Drama for second, with Razmataz and Megalith completing the order of finish.

-Keelerman

SWALE STAKES UPDATE

It is currently five minutes to post time for the third race at Gulfstream Park, the grade II Swale Stakes. The track is fast, the turf is firm, and it looks to be a great day of racing!

The race had drawn six entries, but Black N Beauty has scratched, leaving the field with five runners. Currently, the 1-5 favorite is Travelin' Man. He broke his maiden with a triple-digit Beyer speed figure, but finished a badly beaten second to Flashpoint in the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) last time out. Still, he looks to secure an excellent trip and should have no trouble winning if he runs his race.

The second choice is Indiano at 3-1. The colt ran a strong second to the promising colt Escort last time out and should be flying late. Little Drama, third in the Hutcheson Stakes, is the third choice at 8-1.

It's nearly post time now! I'll be back with the results in just a few moments!

-Keelerman