The 68th edition of the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes, set for Saturday at Gulfstream Park, promises an exciting showdown among seasoned turf veterans. With a purse of $215,000 and a distance of 1 1/8 miles on grass, this prestigious race is part of an 11-race program that kicks off at 12:20 p.m. EDT. Notable contenders include Win for the Money, Grand Sonata, Major Dude, and Fort Washington, each bringing unique histories and recent performances to the track.
Win for the Money: Seeking Redemption in South Florida
Win for the Money, a five-year-old gelding trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, aims to recapture his winning form after a challenging performance in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. This horse has exclusively raced on turf this year, showcasing impressive victories such as a dominant 6 3/4-length win in the Mr. Steele Stakes and an upset triumph in the Woodbine Mile. Despite setbacks, the team remains optimistic about his potential in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes.
Win for the Money's journey has been marked by significant achievements and occasional stumbles. After transitioning from synthetic surfaces to turf, he demonstrated remarkable adaptability. His breakthrough came with a commanding victory in the Mr. Steele Stakes, followed by a thrilling win in the Woodbine Mile, where he overcame odds of 13-1. However, his most recent start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile was less favorable, finishing last due to wide racing early and fatigue. Trainer Nick Tomlinson believes the horse has trained exceptionally well since then, setting high hopes for a strong comeback in this event.
Grand Sonata and Major Dude: Pletcher’s Strategic Entries
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher enters two formidable contenders: Grand Sonata and Major Dude. Grand Sonata, a five-year-old with a stellar record of two graded-stakes wins and over $2 million in earnings, seeks to build on his success. Meanwhile, Major Dude, known for his consistency and recent allowance wins, aims to position himself for the Pegasus Turf.
Grand Sonata's career highlights include victories in the Dania Beach and Kitten’s Joy stakes, along with a notable second-place finish in the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Mile. His most recent performance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf was troubled but showed resilience. Trainer Pletcher plans to shorten his distance for the Fort Lauderdale, hoping it will suit him better. On the other hand, Major Dude has been a model of consistency, finishing third or better in 11 of his 17 starts. His recent allowance wins at Saratoga and Keeneland underscore his readiness for this challenge. Both horses are expected to bring their best efforts to the race, adding layers of intrigue to the competition.