2013 Dania Beach Stakes; Heeeeeere’s Johnny!

2013 Dania Beach Stakes; Heeeeeere’s Johnny!

The 2013 Dania Beach Stakes takes place this Saturday, December 21st, 2013 at Gulfstream Park Racetrack in sunny Hallandale Beach, Florida and is run at one mile on the grass for 2 year-olds with a purse of $100,000.

Last year’s edition of this race resulted in the filly Mystic Love nailing the victory for trainer Jessica Campitelli. The 2 year-old Maryland-bred filly, who went off at 16-1, proved superior to nine boys in the one-mile turf stakes because her trainer didn’t want to stretch her out as far as the 1 1/16 miles in an upcoming filly stakes. Jockey Elvis Trujillo scraped-the-paint for most of a well-executed ride to save needed ground for the win over Charming Kitten, who was the even-money favorite. Future Kentucky Derby Starter Itsmyluckyday was also beaten by a neck by Newfound Zapper, from trainer Wesley Ward, and was fourth.

The Dania Beach Stakes is the 9th race of the day with a post time of 4:43 pm EST. This year’s field of nine looks pretty salty and should be a fun race to watch.

My top colt for the win is the Wesley Ward/Ice Win Stable trained son of Colonel John, Here’s Johnny. Last out on November 9th in the Gulfstream Juvenile Turf at one mile, he chased the pace set by Notyouraveragejoe, was three wide and carried out in the stretch again to lose by a half-length. Prior to that on October 6th he won an Allowance at Keeneland going 1 1/6 miles on the synthetic where he broke well, set the pace and won. He has a race record of 5:2:2 and has been training at Palm Meadows recently working 5F on the turf in 1:03.15, 3/5 and on December 5th, 5F in 1:01.40, 8/13. Here’s Johnny gets K. Deormeaux again to ride and breaks from post #8.

Yes I’m Lucky will probably go off as the favorite as he has the most races under his belt and comes from the same barn as It’s My Lucky day and trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. The son of Yes It’s True has a race record of 6:4:1:1 and has won on dirt and turf but his wins have all come under a mile. So my question here is how well he’ll stretch out going a mile on the turf? Last out on November 30th in the Pulpit Stakes at Gulfstream Park going a mile on the dirt, he bumped with Imaginethatmom at the start, stalked the pace off the rail and angled out in the stretch but gave way for 3rd. Prior to that he has a win on the turf going 5 1/2F at Laurel Park on September 21st where he set the pace and won under a light hand guide. The last work I could find for him is on November 23rd at Palm Meadow working 4F in 50.60 32/34. I’m questionable on him but he could beat my butt at the window for the win. Yes I’m Lucky breaks from post #5 with P. Lopez in the irons.

Here’s Johnny reminds me of the old days with Johnny Carson on late night tv and everytime I see that name I hear the way it was announced, “Heeeeeere’s Johnny”. I can’t help but go for this horse to win the 2013 Dania Beach Stakes. Wesley Ward can sure train those two year-olds and after last year coming in third with Newfound Zapper, I’m hoping he can get the win here. I also like the fact that the barn is pretty confident in him and they are dropping the blinkers for this race.

Yes I’m Lucky is also barking up the tree for the Plesa’s and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won either. The rest of the field I was on lock-down and couldn’t make a decision, surpise! So I’m going with Pleuven for Chad Brown, you can’t go wrong with a newbie in his barn. After the long layoff, we’ll see how he runs for his first time across the pond and first time on Lasix. He definately as a shot to hit the board with a race record of 4:2:1:1. Pleuven gets the services of Alan Garcia and leaves door #2.

I’m tapped out here and ready for some Christmas cheer. Good luck to the youngsters and their connections. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whatever it takes, just go enjoy yourself and have some fun. Safe run to all and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

2013 Dania Beach Stakes Post Positions & Odds
1. Imaginethatmom* 20/1 A.Jaen/M.Yates
2. Pleuven 5/2 (FR) A.Garcia/C.Brown
3. Request 8/1 J.Castellano/C.Brown
4. Cabo Cat 15/1 J.Bravo/M.Hennig
5. Yes I’m Lucky 4/1 P.Lopez/E.Plesa,Jr.
6. Bon Accord 3/1 J.Rosario/A.Sano
7. Mr. Speaker 8/1 J.Lezcano/C.R.McGaugheyIII
8. Here’s Johnny* 6/1 K.Desormeaux/W.A.Ward
9. Hesinfront 12/1 J.Castanon/D.Romans
*Imaginethatmom Blinkers on
*Here’s Johnny Blinkers off
UPDATED RESULTS