Gulfstream Opening Day Spectacular Bid Draws 31 Nominations

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL - Gulfstream Park's opening day feature, the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for 2-year-olds at six furlongs, drew 31 nominations, including Nashua Stakes (G2) winner Vexor, Jack Price Juvenile winner For Oby, and Keeneland 75th Anniversary winner Luke of York.

Gulfstream's 2011-2012 racing season kicks off Saturday, December 3, with a first race post of 12:35 p.m. Opening day festivities include the return of the popular Breakfast at Gulfstream from 7-10 a.m. at the Tiki Hut and a handicapping seminar beginning at 11 a.m. in Sport of Kings with author and Daily Racing Form editor and publisher emeritus Steven Crist.

Fans will also be able to see the new picnic area, six new Daktronics LED boards throughout the facility, and partake in the delicious new menu at Ten Palms Restaurant and the concessions stands of executive chef and television star Ralph Pagano.

Anyone buying a seat in Ten Palms, Silks or the grandstand opening day will receive a commemorative Gulfstream Park polo jersey.

Gulfstream Park live horse racing odds and betting rebates at Off Track Betting internet race book

The 32nd running of the Spectacular Bid drew several interesting nominations including Vexor. A chestnut colt by Wildcat Heir, Vexor broke his maiden at Saratoga Aug. 10. After finishing eighth in the Hopeful (G1), the John Kimmel-trained colt won the Nashua at Belmont Oct. 2 before finishing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

For Oby, a Calder-based son of With Distinction trained by Pedro Maestre, won the $125,000 Jack Price Juvenile Nov. 12 at Calder. Earlier in the summer he finished third in the Florida Stallion Stakes' Dr. Fager. Luke of York, trained by James DeVito, broke his maiden at Arlington Park in September before winning the $125,000 Keeneland 75th Anniversary Stakes Oct. 15.

Gulfstream's Sunday, Dec. 4 program will feature the sixth running of the $60,000 Sunshine State over seven furlongs. Thirty-three horses were nominated, including Manicero, a multiple-stakes winner on turf and dirt, sprinting and routing. Trained by Leo Azpurua Jr., Manicero has won eight of 13 starts and comes into the Sunshine State off a second-place finish Nov. 12 in the $150,000 Carl Rose Classic at Calder.

Zero Rate Policy, a gelded son of Trippi trained by Teresa Pompay, broke his maiden at Gulfstream last winter before winning the Rumson at Monmouth. Zero Rate Policy has won four of his eight starts and has been worse than second in only two of his races.

Others nominated include Chiseled Light, stakes-placed at Calder, and Our Edge, a 5-year-old from the barn of trainer Nick Zito who finished third in last year's Sunshine State, as well as third in Gulfstream's Mr. Prospector (G3).

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