Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida –
Race 12: Grade III Honey Fox Stakes presented by MyRacehorse
Venue Location: Gulfstream Park, 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 (South Florida’s premier thoroughbred venue, hosting the Championship Meet on its renowned turf course).
Scheduled Post Time: 5:05 PM ET (Race 12 on a 14-race Fountain of Youth Day spectacular; first post 11:30 AM ET).
Distance/Surface: 1 mile on the turf course (rail at approximately 20-30 feet; firm expected).
Purse: $175,000 (guaranteed; for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward). Weights: 124 lbs with allowances.
Track Conditions: Turf course firm and fast. Recent Gulfstream turf races have been producing quick, true times with no bias—ideal for tactical speed and strong closers at the one-turn mile.
Expected Weather Conditions: Mild and breezy late-February South Florida classic. High near 78-80°F, low around 69°F, partly cloudy to mostly sunny with light to moderate southeast winds (8-15 mph), humidity ~65%, and a 15-25% chance of isolated afternoon showers (very low risk of impacting the turf or post time). Perfect conditions for fast turf times and a comfortable crowd—no weather bias anticipated.
The 39th running of the Grade III Honey Fox Stakes (named after the champion turf mare) is a prestigious one-mile turf test for older fillies and mares and a key early-season spot on the championship meet calendar. The full field of 10 is loaded with graded stakes talent, including a pair of recent Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) placers, a Grade I winner making her first start against older horses, and a deep contingent from the red-hot Saffie Joseph Jr. barn. Pace projects moderate with several tactical types, favoring stalkers and one-run closers on firm going. Lush Lips heads the morning line as the slight favorite off her brilliant 2025 campaign, but Crevalle d’Oro (recent G2 placer with course affinity) and Movin’ On Up make this a high-quality betting race.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockey/Trainer Notes, and Morning Line Odds
PP 1 – Silver Moonlight (Liam’s Map)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. (dominant local barn with multiple entrants; excellent with turf routers)
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Consistent 5YO with three straight wins, capped by a sharp score in a one-mile optional claimer/allowance at Gulfstream in late December 2025 (speed figure ~93). Tactical speed and rail post are ideal for a ground-saving trip. Prat is a huge plus; Joseph has her peaking. Live longshot who could wire or sit just off it at a square price—strong exotics play from the Joseph trio.
PP 2 – Souper Zonda (Curlin)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Mark E. Casse (perennial Gulfstream stakes force with two here)
Morning Line Odds: 12/1
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: Sharp recent form highlighted by a dominant victory in the Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf S. on Jan. 10, 2026 (top figure ~115). Curlin stamina suits the mile perfectly on firm turf. Castellano knows the local pace—expect her forwardly placed or pressing. Solid mid-tier contender and Casse second-string value for exactas/trifectas.
PP 3 – Classic Q (Classic Empire)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Proven stakes performer with a recent third in the Mrs. Revere S. (G2) and prior graded placings. Tactical versatility and Velazquez upgrade make her dangerous. Casse double with Souper Zonda—could improve off the layoff pattern and sit mid-pack before striking. Respectable underneath play at a fair price.
PP 4 – Fantastic Flame (Flameaway)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Tareq Moubarak
Morning Line Odds: 30/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Longshot with occasional flashes in allowance/optional company but needs a career-best to compete at this level. Rosario can steal a share with a perfect trip, but figures don’t stack up. Best as a deep superfecta bomb.
PP 5 – Gata Brazil (Into Mischief)
Jockey: Edgard J. Zayas
Trainer: Michael J. Maker (solid with consistent grass runners)
Morning Line Odds: 30/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Deep closer with lower recent figures (~76-90 range) but has shown late energy in restricted turf tries. Maker can occasionally spring surprises; Zayas knows the Gulfstream turf. Longshot for the bottom of exotic tickets only.
PP 6 – Movin’ On Up (Accelerate)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Morning Line Odds: 3/1
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: Ken Ramsey color-bearer in peak form—third (beaten a length) in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) four weeks ago after taking a short lead into the stretch; prior head second to Crevalle d’Oro in the Suwannee River S. here and dominant winner of the Sand Springs S. (by 5¾ lengths) last winter. Multiple Gulfstream wins and tactical speed make her extremely live. Joseph/Saez combo is winning at a high clip—major threat to the favorites and a must-use in all tickets.
PP 7 – Queens Command (IRE) (War Command)
Jockey: David Egan
Trainer: Martin Drexler
Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Irish-bred with solid Group 3 form overseas (second in 2025 Maple Leaf S. G3). U.S. transition has been respectable but she’ll need to step up on firm Gulfstream turf. Egan will look for a patient mid-pack trip. Respectable longshot for deeper exotics.
PP 8 – Public Defender (Constitution)
Jockey: Dylan Davis
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Analysis: Recent winner of the Nellie Cox Handicap and third in the Suwannee River S. (behind Crevalle d’Oro and Movin’ On Up). Constitution progeny handle firm turf and the mile well; Joseph’s third entrant adds depth to the barn. Davis can deliver a ground-saving ride—live at the price as an exotics bomb from the hot connections.
PP 9 – Lush Lips (GB) (Ten Sovereigns (IRE))
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh (elite with high-class turf fillies)
Morning Line Odds: 2/1 (program favorite)
Weight: 124 lbs
Analysis: Dixiana Farms star and the classiest on paper—1st or 2nd in 9 of 11 starts, including wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland and Mrs. Revere S. (G2) at Churchill to close 2025. Nearing $1 million in earnings and making her first start against older horses after a brilliant sophomore campaign. Gaffalione knows the Gulfstream turf; Walsh has her razor-sharp. The one to beat—expect a patient mid-pack trip and powerful stretch kick.
PP 10 – Crevalle d’Oro (Constitution)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Jose Francisco D’Angelo (new barn after $500k purchase at Keeneland November)
Morning Line Odds: 5/2
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: 5YO in career-best form—second (beaten a half-length) in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) four weeks ago after a 10-1 head upset victory in the Suwannee River S. here on Dec. 20. Proven at the course and distance; Ortiz upgrade is massive. D’Angelo reports her doing “great”—the main danger to Lush Lips with her tactical speed and explosive finish from the outside. Must-use.
Summary and Wagering Angles:
A high-quality Grade III with three standouts: Lush Lips (9) (2/1) brings elite class and consistency, Crevalle d’Oro (10) (5/2) has the local edge and recent G2 form, and Movin’ On Up (6) (3/1) offers terrific value from the Joseph barn. The Joseph trio (1-6-8) adds depth and exotics coverage. Look for Lush Lips or Crevalle d’Oro to stalk and pounce in a tactical mile on firm turf.
