(Edited Gulfstream Park report) 

Edmund Gann’s 4-year-old colt Ikigai had won four of his last five starts for trainer Marty Wolfson, but was taking a big step up in Saturday’s $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (Grade 3) at Gulfstream Park, facing Grade\Group 1 winners Kelly’s Landing and Black Seventeen in the field of seven going six furlongs.

With jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan aboard, Ikigai stalked from second down the backstretch, took command on the far turn, and drew clear to score by 2¼ lengths over Lael Stable’s Rollers with Wind River Stable’s California invader Black Seventeen another 3¼ lengths back in third as the winner was timed in 1:09:37 over the ‘fast’ track.

“He’s just gotten better and better. He’s just naturally fast and did what he does. Mr. (Marty) Wolfson told me not to take anything away from him. Let him go. He responded the whole way – I had a beautiful ride. I never felt in danger of falling out (of contention). I knew we had a pretty good shot at going the whole way.  I was kind of concerned we were too strong out there, but I have to give Mr. Wolfson all the credit in the world. He did a great job of getting us prepared for today,” Bridgmohan said.

“I really loved him today. I looked at the race and didn’t see that much speed. He’s a very fast horse. He’s come a long way. I ran him for $32,000 (claiming) the first time I ran him after he was sent to me (last summer). Thank goodness nobody took him. The only time he got beat since I’ve had was when he was eliminated at the gate (stumbled). I would think he’ll go seven-eighths. I don’t know what’s next, but we’ll definitely look ahead to the Smile Sprint (Calder) this summer,” Wolfson said.

Fractional splits were: 22:63, 45:46 and 1:09:37

JACK SPRATT COMES LATE TO TAKE DANIA BEACH

Thomas Conway, Sand Dollar Stable and partners’ 3-year-old Jack Spratt overcame the far outside post position in a bulky field of 13 to rally to a half-length victory under jockey Julien Leparoux in Saturday’s $100,000 Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park. 

Less than a length separated the first four under the wire in the one mile turf test.

Trained by Mike Maker, Jack Spratt was sent off at a generous 14-1 despite having run a strong third in the Grand Canyon Stakes at Churchill Downs last out on Nov. 29. Each of the next three across the line also went off at  double-digit odds with Dogwood Stable’s Lime Rickey second, a nose before Char-Mari Stable’s Beacon Hill Road third and Amaury Piedra’s Adari another head back in fourth.

Jack Spratt paid $30.80 to win and ran the one mile on ‘firm’ turf in 1:35:59.

“Breaking from the (outside) post I knew the break would be key. He broke good and I was able to settle behind and save ground. We got going around the turn and finished strong the rest of the way. I felt pressure the entire way. It wasn’t an easy race. There were definitely a lot of quality horses around me,” Leparoux said.

“I was frowning a little after the draw (outside post 14), but Julien (Leparoux) did a good job of not getting him fanned out too  wide. He rides a lot of horses for me and I try not to handcuff him with too many instructions. He kind of inherited the lead when he was up closer in his last start. This helps … we kind of got off to a slow start at the meet. I picked  (Jack Spratt) out at the 2-year-old sales at Timonium (for $100,000 at the  Eastern May Sales). He should be ready to come back in the next one (Hallandale Beach Stakes on Feb. 14),” Maker said.

Fractional splits were: 23:38, 47:64, 1:11:83 and 1:35:59.