Race 12: Sand Springs Stakes (Listed Stakes)
Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Turf, Rail at 59 feet)
Purse: $175,000 (includes $25,000 Florida Bred Incentive Fund)
For: Fillies and Mares, Four Year Olds and Upward
Scheduled Post Time: 5:15 PM ET (First post for the 14-race Florida Derby Day card is 11:30 AM ET; this is the final stakes feature on the championship program)
Venue Location: Gulfstream Park is located at 901 S. Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida (33009). It is South Florida’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack, featuring a championship turf course that typically plays fair to all running styles at 1 1/16 miles (the 59-foot rail setup slightly favors mid-pack and closing runners over pure early speed).
Expected Weather Conditions: Daytime high near 82°F (28°C), low around 71°F (22°C) overnight. Mostly clear skies with light east winds (5-10 mph) and zero chance of precipitation. No humidity issues or storms in the forecast—these conditions will keep the turf firm and fast.
Track Conditions: Firm turf (no rain in the extended forecast or recent cards; Gulfstream’s turf has been consistently firm this meet, with the 59-foot rail producing strong figures for tactical and closing types at this distance).
Full Field (11 horses – official entries locked):
This is a deep and competitive Listed turf route for older fillies and mares on Florida Derby Day, featuring a mix of proven stakes performers, international shippers, and sharp locals from elite barns (Chad Brown, Brendan Walsh, Saffie Joseph Jr., Brad Cox, and Mark Casse). Early handicapping and speed figures point to Sweet Rebecca (130 figure) and Maggie Go (ARG) as likely low-odds favorites, with Queens Command (IRE) and Hang the Moon drawing strong support. Speed ratings and connections highlight a wide-open betting race.
PP 1 – Maggie Go (ARG) (‘21 M, Winning Prize (ARG) – [pedigree suits turf])
Trainer: Chad C. Brown (elite turf master; multiple stakes wins with imports)
Jockey: Flavien Prat (nation’s top rider; masterful on turf routers)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 108
Analysis: Brown/Prat is one of the strongest combos in the game. Argentine import with tactical versatility and a rail draw that’s perfect on firm going. Expect her to save ground early and deliver a strong late kick—major win contender and likely morning-line favorite.
PP 2 – Fantasy Performer (‘21 M, Oscar Performance)
Trainer: Cam M. Gambolati (solid local conditioner with turf affinity)
Jockey: Jose E. Morelos (reliable Gulfstream rider)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 108
Analysis: Oscar Performance pedigree and consistent allowance/stakes form. Gambolati has her tuned; Morelos will look for a stalking trip. Live exotic horse who could improve and factor underneath.
PP 3 – Sweet Rebecca (‘21 M, American Pharoah)
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh (top-tier turf conditioner; excellent with improving mares)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione (leading Gulfstream jockey; turf ace)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 130 (highest in the field)
Analysis: Standout on pure numbers and American Pharoah class. Walsh/Gaffalione combo is lethal; expect her to stalk mid-pack and explode late on firm turf. The one to beat and a key horse in all exotics.
PP 4 – Hang the Moon (‘20 M, Uncle Mo – Moondance)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. (hot South Florida barn; dominates Gulfstream turf)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez (Hall of Famer; perfect for tactical routers)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 111
Analysis: Joseph/Johnny V. firepower demands respect. Uncle Mo stamina fits the distance perfectly; post 4 is ideal for a pressing or stalking trip. Strong win threat and major exotic play.
PP 5 – Miss Mary Nell (‘22 F, Girvin – Tempest’s Flash)
Trainer: Carlos A. David (sharp local barn with good strike rate on turf)
Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez (solid rider with Gulfstream wins)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 97
Analysis: Younger mare with upside and recent local form. David/Gonzalez will push the pace or sit just off it. Respect at a price as a live longshot who could wire or improve sharply.
PP 6 – Silver Moonlight (‘21 M, Liam’s Map)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. (double threat with PP 4 – barn firing)
Jockey: Micah J. Husbands (high-percentage local rider)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 93
Analysis: Another Joseph runner with Liam’s Map pedigree for the turf mile. Husbands fits a mid-pack style. Live underneath horse with barn momentum—solid exotic filler.
PP 7 – Yes It Tiz (‘22 F, Tiz the Law)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (elite stakes trainer; high win rate on turf)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado (aggressive rider who excels forwardly)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 102
Analysis: Tiz the Law class and Cox/Alvarado connections. Tactical speed from post 7; could press early and finish well. Strong contender at square odds.
PP 8 – Queens Command (IRE) (‘19 M, War Command)
Trainer: Martin Drexler (consistent with European-style turf runners)
Jockey: Edgard J. Zayas (high-percentage Gulfstream rider)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 113
Analysis: Irish import with proven stakes form and a high figure. Drexler/Zayas combo is dangerous; outside post fine for a closer. Major threat to rally late and crash the top spots.
PP 9 – Ashima (‘21 M, The Big Beast)
Trainer: Sal Santoro (smaller barn but capable of price horses)
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz (local rider)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 107
Analysis: The Big Beast speed and recent consistent efforts. Santoro can get improvement; will likely stalk. Live longshot with upset potential if the pace melts.
PP 10 – Candy Quest (‘22 F, Connect)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse (multiple stakes winner; strong with turf fillies)
Jockey: Javier Castellano (Hall of Famer; Gulfstream turf specialist)
Weight: 122 lbs (top weight)
Speed Figure: 106
Analysis: Casse/Castellano is always dangerous. Connect pedigree and outside post suit a stalking/closing style. Key horse in exotics with barn momentum.
PP 11 – Olivia Valentina (‘22 F, Malibu Moon)
Trainer: Carlos Luis Perez (capable conditioner with improving types)
Jockey: Dylan Davis (rising star with strong recent stats)
Weight: 120 lbs
Speed Figure: 101
Analysis: Malibu Moon stamina and lightly raced upside. Perez/Davis will save ground early and look to finish. Respect at a price as a deep closer.
Overall Preview & Handicapping Thoughts:
A quality Listed turf route with no runaway favorite on paper and heavy influence from Brown, Walsh, Joseph (two), Cox, and Casse. The pace should be honest with several tactical/forward runners (Miss Mary Nell, Hang the Moon, Yes It Tiz), setting it up perfectly for mid-pack/closing types like Sweet Rebecca, Maggie Go, Queens Command, and Candy Quest. Gulfstream’s firm turf at 1 1/16 miles with the rail at 59 feet favors horses who can rate and finish strongly. Sweet Rebecca towers on the highest speed figure, but the depth (Brown/Prat, Joseph duo, Castellano) makes this an excellent betting race with strong exotic value.
