Identifier Goes Bombs Away in Hal’s Hope

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Gelfenstein Farm’s Identifer rose to the occasion in a major way on Saturday, bombing the tote while making his graded stakes debut in the $100,000 Hal’s Hope Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Ignored at 60/1 odds as he broke from post 4 under Marcos Meneses, Identifier settled in the middle of the field for the early running. Up front, Rare Form outkicked the 2/1 favorite Bodexpress for the lead heading into the clubhouse turn before posting opening fractions of :23.34, :47.24, and 1:11.04.

Tipped to the outside as he advanced off of the far turn, Identifier commenced a wide rally the length of the stretch. Collaring Bodexpress and a sandwiched Just Whistle near the 1/16 pole, Identifier wore them down late before crossing a length clear at the wire.

Trained by Oscar Gonzalez, Identifier completed the 1 1/8-mile event over the fast main track in a final time of 1:50.25.

Just Whistle was a 1/2-length better than Bodexpress, while Eye of a Jedi – who at 128/1 was the only one bet less than the winner – overcame a terrible start to rally for fourth late. Prompt necked out You’re to Blame for fifth, while Sir Anthony settled for seventh.

Harvey Wallbanger, American Tattoo, Realm, and a used-up Rare Form completed the order of finish.

Identifier’s win was his second in as many starts since joining Gonzalez’s barn at the end of 2020 and improved his overall record to 11-4-4-0. The 4-year-old son of Creative Cause, purchased for $80,000 as a juvenile, has now earned $168,390.

Identifier returned $123 to win, $42.80 to place, and $17.20 to show. Just Whistle brought back $20.60 to place and $11 to show, while Bodexpress paid $3.40 to show.