Rain No Trouble for World of Trouble in $150,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – The early-morning deluge proved no trouble for Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables’ World of Trouble on Saturday as the multi-surface threat easily wired an off-track edition of the $150,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes.

Breaking sharply from post 4 as the 1/5 favorite under Irad Ortiz, Jr., World of Trouble raced down the backstretch inside of Recruiting Ready through an opening 1/4-mile in :22.18. Beginning to inch away as the field straightened for home, it only took a couple of cues from his rider to get World of Trouble to go. Drawing away steadily, the Jason Servis trainee was geared down inside the final 1/16 of a mile before crossing with a 2 3/4-length lead in a final time of :56.44 for the 5-furlong sprint over the sloppy (sealed) main track.

“He’s a nice horse,” said Ortiz, Jr. “He broke well, so I just tried to hold it together. When I asked him to go, he just exploded. Jason let me ride him the way I wanted. I’ve been on him a few times now, so our confidence is high.”

Recruiting Ready took second by a large margin over Belle Tapisserie, while Singandcryindubai and Little Chesney similarly spread out behind to complete the order of finish. Due to the race being taken off of the turf, three horses scratched: Oak Bluffs, Pay Any Price, and Stormy Liberal, the latter who narrowly defeated World of Trouble in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Stakes.

World of Trouble’s win was his second straight following a romp in the slop at Tampa Bay Downs in the FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire Stakes. The 4-year-old son of Kantharos now carries a record of 10-6-2-1 with $671,400 in earnings.

“I was happy with the mud, but he’s not an easy horse to deal with,” Servis said. “We had a hard time getting the bridle on him, and the back bandages. He’s a runner. Mike Dubb will map out (his schedule). I guess Keeneland is on the radar, New York.”

World of Trouble returned $2.40 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show. Recruiting Ready brought back $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show, while Belle Tapisserie paid $5.60 to show.