Gulf Coast Shines in Cash Run

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – WinStar Stablemates Racing’s Gulf Coast rallied wide off the far turn and shined brightly in the stretch to win Friday’s $75,000 Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

After breaking from post 2 under Irad Ortiz Jr. as the 2/1 second choice in the field of eight 3-year-old fillies, Gulf Coast settled along the inside as the field exited the chute onto the main track.

Adios Trippi set a measured pace up front and began pulling away from the field in the far turn, but Gulf Coast tipped out while cornering and launched her bid once straightened.

Taking the lead at the 1/8 pole, the Rudy Brisset trainee held off a late push from Honorifique to win the fast one-turn dirt mile event by a 1/2-length in 1:37.16.

“I had a perfect trip,” Ortiz said. “I broke good and was able to get my filly where she wants to be. She was a little more comfortable outside. We were there and I took my time, and when I asked her to run, she was there. She started picking it up from the 1/2-mile all the way to the 1/4 pole. After that, I worked hard on her and she kept going.”

Adios Trippi was 3 3/4 lengths back in third, 7 1/2 lengths ahead of the 8/5 favorite Shea D Summer.

Orbs Baby Girl, Gladys, Sky Proposal, and Quinoa Tifah completed the order of finish.

Lucifers Lair was scratched.

Gulf Coast’s win was the second of her career following a 1/2-length score on debut going 6 furlongs at Indiana Grand in November and a runner-up effort in the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The Union Rags filly, purchased for $300,000 last March, has now earned $73,705.

“I think everything set up the way we were looking (for),” Brisset said. “Irad got her in the clear after the first 1/4 (of a mile); I think that was a good move. She’s a pretty big filly and we were really looking forward to running her a little bit longer than we did the first 2 times.”

Gulf Coast returned $6.40 to win, $3.60 to place, and $2.60 to show. Honorifique brought back $4.40 to place and $3.40 to show, while Adios Trippi paid $5.40 to show.