Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida –
Race 11: Grade II Davona Dale Stakes presented by Inglis Digital USA
Venue Location: Gulfstream Park, 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 (South Florida’s premier thoroughbred track, hosting the star-studded 2025-2026 Championship Meet with its fast main dirt surface).
Scheduled Post Time: 4:34 PM ET (Race 11 on a massive 14-race Fountain of Youth Day program; first post 11:30 AM ET).
Distance/Surface: 1 mile on the main dirt track (one turn).
Purse: $225,000 (includes Florida-bred incentives); for 3-year-old fillies. Weights: 123 lbs with allowances (non-winners of a graded stakes at a mile or over -2 lbs; other non-graded non-maiden/claiming/starter allowances -4 lbs). Offers 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Track Conditions: Main dirt track fast and fair. Gulfstream’s winter/spring dirt has been consistently speed-favoring yet bias-free this meet, with quick times in recent one-turn miles.
Expected Weather Conditions: Mild and mostly pleasant late-February South Florida weather. High near 79°F, low around 67-69°F, partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies with a 20-30% chance of isolated afternoon showers or thunderstorms (low risk of affecting post time or track condition), light southeast winds 8-12 mph, humidity ~65%. Ideal for fast dirt and comfortable viewing—no significant weather bias expected.
The 39th running of the Grade II Davona Dale Stakes is the second leg of Gulfstream’s Road to the Kentucky Oaks for sophomore fillies and a critical points-earning opportunity (105 total points available). The nine-horse field is headed by a dominant local G3 winner stretching to a mile for the first time, but several sharp maiden/allowance graduates and a pair from the powerful Pletcher barn make this a wide-open betting affair. Pace projects moderate to honest with several tactical speed types (Imperatrice, Haute Diva), setting up well for stalkers and one-run closers on fast dirt. Brad Cox has the morning-line favorite and a dangerous second-stringer; expect a classic Gulfstream one-turn mile thriller.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockey/Trainer Notes, and Morning Line Odds
PP 1 – My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo – In a Dream by Quality Road)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. (red-hot local barn with strong 3YO record)
Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Weight: 119 lbs
Analysis: Florida-bred who broke her maiden by a whopping 12 lengths at Gulfstream in late 2025. Most recent: respectable but non-threatening 4th in the Sandpiper S. at Tampa Bay Downs (Dec. 2025). Tactical speed and local experience are pluses, but she’ll need a career peak to factor at stakes level. Gaffalione knows every inch of the track—live longshot for exotics at a price; Joseph can have them ready.
PP 2 – Blazing Brat (Beau Liam – Brittney Brat by Pikepass)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman (solid with lightly raced types)
Morning Line Odds: 30/1
Weight: 119 lbs
Analysis: Cross-entered in today’s Busher S. at Aqueduct (likely to ship north per connections), but if she stays, she’s a deep bomb with limited stakes experience. Recent maiden/allowance tries show early zip but question marks stretching to a mile. Saez can steal a share with an easy lead if others are absent—superfecta filler only.
PP 3 – Paradise (Gun Runner – Venetian Harbor by Munnings)
Jockey: Edgard J. Zayas
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (elite 3YO filly developer)
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Analysis: LNJ Foxwoods/NK Racing homebred and recent maiden winner with high pedigree upside (by Horse of the Year Gun Runner). Cross-entered in the Busher but a logical fit here for Cox, who also trains the favorite. Tactical ability and stamina pedigree suit the mile perfectly. Zayas is money at Gulfstream—sneaky contender who could improve sharply in her stakes debut.
PP 4 – Omaha Bay (Omaha Beach – Red Hot Tops by Arch)
Jockey: Javier Castellano (Hall of Fame rider)
Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes (patient with progressive routers)
Morning Line Odds: 6/1
Weight: 119 lbs
Analysis: Lightly raced with a sharp debut maiden win over 6f at Gulfstream in early 2026. Omaha Beach progeny often handle the one-turn mile well; Castellano upgrade is significant. Wilkes excels with these types—expect her to show improved stamina and a strong late kick. Solid mid-tier play and a logical underneath horse in all exotics.
PP 5 – Imperatrice (City of Light – Dolce Lili by Scat Daddy)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (multiple Davona Dale winner; perennial Gulfstream powerhouse)
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Weight: 119 lbs
Analysis: Proven at this exact trip and track—broke her maiden here at one mile in December 2025, then did the dirty work pressing the pace before finishing a game 2nd in the Forward Gal (G3) behind On Time Girl. City of Light speed with stamina bottom is ideal. Pletcher/Velazquez combo is always dangerous—versatile, battle-tested, and the best chance to upset the favorite if she gets a clean trip.
PP 6 – Haute Diva (Constitution – Diva Style by Unbridled’s Song)
Jockey: David Egan
Trainer: Patrick L. Biancone (sharp with upset specialists)
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Weight: 121 lbs
Analysis: Pulled a 14-1 shocker in the Cash Run S. over this exact course and distance on New Year’s Day 2026, winning by a neck after a perfect trip. Has early tactical speed and the constitution to handle the mile. Biancone gets them peaking for big days—live longshot who could wire or sit just off it at a square price.
PP 7 – Swing Vote (Constitution – Fast Scene by Fast Anna)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: William I. Mott (Hall of Famer with excellent stakes strike rate)
Morning Line Odds: 3/1 (second choice)
Weight: 119 lbs
Analysis: CJ Thoroughbreds et al. color-bearer who broke her maiden impressively at Gulfstream on Jan. 24, 2026 after a promising 3rd in her debut. Constitution progeny love fast dirt and the mile; Mott has her razor-sharp for stakes bow. Alvarado knows the local pace scenarios—tactical speed and closing kick make her the main danger to the favorite. Must-use in all tickets.
PP 8 – She Be Smooth (Lexitonian – Seattle Smooth by Quiet American)
Jockey: Flavien Prat (elite turf-to-dirt rider)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Morning Line Odds: 5/1
Weight: 119 lbs
Analysis: Calumet Farm homebred who broke her maiden at this exact one-turn mile at Gulfstream on Jan. 23, 2026 by 2¼ lengths (effort flattered when runner-up came back to win). Smooth pedigree for the trip and Pletcher second-stringer with Prat aboard. Expect a ground-saving, patient ride and strong finish—excellent value underneath and a major exotics threat.
PP 9 – On Time Girl (Not This Time – Girl Daddy by Uncle Mo)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. (the man to have on the favorite)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (dominant with 3YO fillies this meet)
Morning Line Odds: 9/5 (heavy favorite)
Weight: 121 lbs
Analysis: Albaugh Family Stables homebred with a sparkling 4-for-5 record. Most recent: dominant 3-length victory in the Forward Gal (G3) here on Jan. 31, 2026 after rallying from mid-pack. Prior wins include the Fern Creek S. at Churchill and two juvenile scores. Not This Time filly has answered every distance question; tactical “on button” speed and explosive stretch kick. Cox/Ortiz Jr. combo is lethal—stretches to a mile for the first time but visually looks like she’ll love it. The clear class edge and one to beat.
Summary and Wagering Angles:
On Time Girl (9) is the deserving heavy favorite with her perfect local record, tactical versatility, and top connections—she should sit mid-pack and pounce for win #5. Swing Vote (7) and She Be Smooth (8) offer the best foils at 3/1-5/1, while Imperatrice (5) and Omaha Bay (4) provide value underneath. Haute Diva (6) adds upset potential off her course-and-distance win. Note possible scratches for the two cross-entrants (2 & 3).
