The Bear’s Den Stakes, a $75,000 turf feature for 3-year-olds, headlines Race 8 at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Run over 1 mile on turf, this stakes race showcases promising sophomores with stakes experience, turf pedigrees, and rising connections. With a competitive field of nine, expect a tactical battle and a fast finish.
Race Details
Race: Bear’s Den Stakes
Track: Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, FL
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Post Time: 4:34 PM ET
Distance: 1 mile (Turf)
Purse: $75,000
Conditions: 3-Year-Olds
Full Field Analysis
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Sire | Dam (Dam Sire) | ML Odds |
| 1 | Lastabitlonger | Leonel Reyes | Chad J. Stewart | Vekoma | Advanced Green (Malibu Moon) | 7/2 |
| 2 | Outta Money | Cipriano Gil | Tareq Moubarak | Mr. Money | Lucy in the Sky (Caleb’s Posse) | 30/1 |
| 3 | Layabout | Jonathan Ocasio | Patrick L. Biancone | Laoban | Batalla Sindical (Big Brown) | 6/1 |
| 4 | Forged Steel | Reylu Gutierrez | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Vekoma | Scorecard (Tale of the Cat) | 7/5 |
| 5 | Culpa | Wilfred Vasquez | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Blame | Dancing Belle (First Samurai) | 10/1 |
| 6 | Win With Faith | Miguel Vasquez | Ronald B. Spatz | Win Win Win | Jyles (Yes It’s True) | 8/1 |
| 7 | Iron Hand | Edwin Gonzalez | Jose D’Angelo | Valiant Minister | Bev’s Humor (Distorted Humor) | 5/1 |
| 8 | Reach for the Rose | Rajiv Maragh | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Audible | Divine Mission (Twirling Candy) | 20/1 |
| 9 | I Know I Know | Luca Panici | Patrick L. Biancone | Jess’s Dream | Prove Me (Big Drama) | 15/1 |
Top Contenders Breakdown
Forged Steel (ML: 7/5)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez
Pedigree: By Vekoma, out of Scorecard (Tale of the Cat)
Form: Third in the Carry Back Stakes; consistent turf performer
Edge: Tactical speed, stakes experience, top connections
Lastabitlonger (ML: 7/2)
Trainer: Chad J. Stewart
Jockey: Leonel Reyes
Pedigree: By Vekoma, out of Advanced Green (Malibu Moon)
Form: Third in Not Surprising Stakes; improving
Edge: Proven at distance, strong turf pedigree
Iron Hand (ML: 5/1)
Trainer: Jose D’Angelo
Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez
Pedigree: By Valiant Minister, out of Bev’s Humor (Distorted Humor)
Form: Winner of allowance turf mile at Gulfstream
Edge: Late kick, lightly raced with upside
Pedigree Insights
Vekoma: Sire of Forged Steel and Lastabitlonger; known for producing versatile turf/dirt runners with speed.
Valiant Minister: Iron Hand’s sire; adds turf class and durability.
Audible & Laoban: Sires of Reach for the Rose and Layabout; both offer stamina and late acceleration.
Win Win Win: Win With Faith’s sire; emerging turf influence with sprinting power.
Final Thoughts
The Bear’s Den Stakes sets up as a tactical turf mile with Forged Steel holding the class edge and Lastabitlonger poised to challenge. Iron Hand and Layabout offer value with improving form, while Win With Faith and Culpa could surprise if the pace collapses. Expect a tightly run race with a strong stretch duel.
