Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Gulfstream Park – December 10, 2021

SIXTH RACE – This race is a maiden $50,000 middle distance turf event for juvenile fillies that allows Florida-bred runners to compete without being risked for tag. The two main players fall into that category. Cascade Peak tries the lawn for the first time following three runs over synthetic, the last two resulting tough beat photo finish defeats. Most recent in her local debut, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was beaten a nose while more than five lengths clear of the rest, and on the basis of this effort she’s highly-likely to go favored and probably lower than her morning line of 5/2. If she can transfer her all-weather form to the turf, she’ll be hard to beat. The Wesley Ward first-timer starter Musical Design is intriguing at 4-1 on the morning. Her grass works indicate she has more than enough ability to act with this group and she appears to have enough early speed to be a strong pace factor, assuming she breaks well. It’s interesting that Ward debuts her going long on grass; her pedigree (Maclean’s Music) leans much more to sprint speed. We’ll be surprised if the winner isn’t one or the other, so both can be used in rolling exotic play with preference on top to the better priced Musical Design.



EIGHTH RACE - Take Charge Ro has much in her favor in this turf miler for second-level allowance fillies and mares and looks made to order for rolling exotic player seeking a single. Lightly-raced and improving, the daughter of Take Charge Indy earned a career top speed figure when finishing second in her most recent outing in mid-June against tougher competition at Churchill Downs while well-clear of the rest in an effort that if repeated today likely will land her in the winner’s circle. The nearly six month vacation is a concern for a barn that shows modest stats with the layoff runners, but the work tab is strong and healthy and should have the Brian Lynch-trained four-year-old cranked up and ready. Furthermore, according to the projected pace flow, she’s likely to draft into an ideal second flight, stalking position and then have every chance to seal the deal from the quarter pole home. The switch to Luis Saez along with excellent past form (never off the board in three starts) over the local lawn are other positive factors. Everything adds up.