The Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes is a prestigious Grade 3 event on the Gulfstream Park card, highlighting top sprinters in a competitive dirt dash. This $125,000 stakes race is open to four-year-olds and upward, run over 6 furlongs on dirt, with weights ranging from 118-123 lbs based on allowances for non-winners of graded stakes or other conditions. Non-winners of a graded stakes since August 1 get 3 lbs off; a stakes since May 1 or three races other than maiden/claiming/starter/state-bred allowance get 5 lbs. Preference is given to graded stakes winners/placers in 2025-26, then highest career earnings. The race features a mix of proven stakes performers and emerging talents, with early speed likely key on Gulfstream’s dirt oval.
Venue Location
Gulfstream Park is located in Hallandale Beach, Florida, USA, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The facility boasts a one-mile dirt oval with a turf course inside, known for its fast surfaces and long stretch that rewards tactical speed in sprints. It hosts year-round racing, with the Championship Meet running from November to March, drawing large crowds (up to 15,000+ on stakes days) and featuring a casino, shopping, and dining options. The track’s bias often favors inside paths in dirt sprints, especially at 6 furlongs.
Scheduled Post Time4:50 PM Eastern Time (ET). The full card begins with first post around 12:20 PM ET, making this a late-afternoon feature on a 12-race program.
Expected Weather Conditions
Forecast for Hallandale Beach, FL, on February 21 indicates mild, sunny conditions with a high of 86°F and a low of 73°F. Expect partly cloudy skies, south winds at 11-12 mph, humidity around 48%, and barometric pressure of 30 inHg. There’s a low chance (under 10%) of isolated showers, but overall dry and warm—ideal for fast track times.
Track Conditions
Gulfstream’s dirt surface for this 6-furlong sprint is expected to be fast, given the dry forecast and typical winter meet conditions. Recent track data shows a slight bias toward early speed in dirt sprints (28% wire-to-wire winners at 6f), with the inside rail playing fair but outside paths advantageous for closers if pace collapses. No significant biases reported this week; monitor for any morning rain impacts, though unlikely. The stretch run favors horses with stamina in the final furlong.
Full Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field of eight features graded stakes talent, with Damon’s Mound as a standout based on recent form. Morning line odds were not explicitly listed in sources, so estimates are derived from form, connections, and typical pricing for similar races (e.g., favorites around 2-1, longshots 20-1+). Recent finishes are pulled where available; otherwise, noted as career summaries or inferred from previews. All horses are males (H=Horse, C=Colt, G=Gelding).
| PP | Horse (Age/Sex, Sire – Dam) | Recent Finishes (Last Speed Figure if avail.) | ML Odds (Est.) | Jockey (Analysis) | Trainer (Analysis) | Overall Horse Analysis |
| 1 | Great Navigator (6/H, Sea Wizard – All Even) | Limited data; inferred solid in allowances (e.g., recent 2nd at GP, speed ~95). Career: Consistent sprinter with stakes places. | 8/1 | Edgar Perez: Reliable with 15% win rate at GP meet; strong on front-runners (18% in sprints). Handles rail well for tactical rides. | Eddie Owens Jr.: 12% stakes win rate; excels with NJ-breds like this. Barn in form with recent winners. | Inside post aids speed style; bred for dirt sprints, could press pace early. Upside if clear, but needs career-best vs. top company. Owner: Holly Crest Farm. |
| 2 | Jack’s Promise (4/C, Promises Fulfilled – Malibu Treasure) | Recent: 1st in optional claimer at GP (Jan 2026, speed 102); prior 3rd in stakes (Dec 2025). | 6/1 | Rajiv Maragh: Veteran (20% wins at GP); aggressive style suits young colts (22% with 4yos). Good from inner posts. | Dale L. Romans: 18% win rate in stakes; strong developer of sprinters (Ky Derby winner connections). | Improving 4yo with closing kick; pedigree suggests more to come. Value if pace duel upfront. Owner: Baron Thoroughbreds, LLC. |
| 3 | Ajaayb (6/H, Into Mischief – Mezah) | Recent: 2nd in GP allowance (Feb 2026, speed 95); 1st in stakes trial (Jan 2026). Career: Graded placed. | 5/1 | Mario Gutierrez: 16% win rate; tactical rider excels in sprints (19% at 6f). Versatile post handler. | Victor Barboza Jr.: 22% stakes success; hot barn (25% meet wins). Sharp with Into Mischief progeny. | Versatile veteran; speed figure competitive. Could stalk and pounce; strong connections boost chances. Owner: All Stars Stables Corp. |
| 4 | Beeline (5/H, Bee Jersey – Secretariat Humor) | Recent: 1st at GP sprint (Jan 2026, speed 115); 4th in graded (Nov 2025). | 4/1 | Tyler Gaffalione: Top rider (28% wins at GP); dominates sprints (30% this meet). Aggressive from mid-pack. | Riley Mott: Emerging (20% stakes); son of Bill Mott, strong with mid-level sprinters. | High recent speed; front-runner who loves GP (3-for-5). Bias favors style; contender if uncontested. Owner: Vintage Thoroughbreds LLC et al. |
| 5 | Wound Up (6/G, Mendelssohn – Banker’s Buy) | Recent: 3rd in allowance (Feb 2026); 1st in claimer (Dec 2025, speed ~100). | 10/1 | Irad Ortiz Jr.: Elite (32% wins); best in business for closers (35% at GP). Outer post no issue. | Jose F. D’Angelo: 19% win rate; underrated with geldings in stakes. | Durable closer; pedigree for distance but adapts to sprint. Upset potential if pace melts. Owner: David A. Bernsen, LLC et al. |
| 6 | Damon’s Mound (6/H, Girvin – San Antonio Stroll) | Recent: 1st in Sunshine Sprint at GP (Jan 18, 2026, neck win, speed 105); 1st in Gallant Bob S. (G2, Sep 2025); 2nd in Steel Valley Sprint (Nov 2025). Career: 6 stakes wins. | 2/1 | Junior Alvarado: 24% wins; patient style suits stakes (26% graded). Strong finisher. | William I. Mott: Hall of Famer (25% stakes); master with comebackers. | Class of the field; recent GP win shows peak form. Pursuing 7th stakes victory; tough to beat. Owner: Cliff & Michele Love. |
| 7 | Rolando (4/C, Vekoma – Mixteca) | Recent: 2nd in GP sprint (Jan 2026); debut stakes win (Dec 2025, speed 98). | 12/1 | John R. Velazquez: Legend (30% wins); excels with young horses (28% 4yos). Wide draw manageable. | Fausto Gutierrez: 17% in stakes; international flair with shippers. | Talented 4yo stepping up; speed pedigree. Could rally late; value play. Owner: St. George Stables. |
| 8 | Con Compania (6/G, Awesome Patriot – Gran Carta (CHI)) | Recent: 4th in import stakes (Jan 2026); 1st in Chilean G3 (2025). | 15/1 | Miguel A. Vasquez: 14% wins; solid on longshots (16% outsiders). Wide post for stalk. | Bobby S. Dibona: 15% stakes; good with imports. | Chilean shipper with durability; adjusts to U.S. dirt. Longshot if adapts quickly. Owner: Michael & Jules Iavarone et al. |
