BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Royalight Racing LLC’s Charlie’s Wish will switch to the Gulfstream Park grass course for her next start Saturday in the $100,000 Ginger Punch at a mile-and-a-sixteenth. A full gate of 12 fillies and mares, plus one on the also-eligible list, have entered the Ginger Punch with Charlie’s Wish set at 5-1 on the morning line.
Charlie’s Wish and Chick’s Shadow are eligible for $20,000 in Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association bonus money for Florida-breds included in the purse.
Trained by David Fawkes, Charlie’s Wish produced her last victory while racing on the grass at Tampa Bay Downs in March when she took the $110,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf against Florida-bred fillies and mares going a mile-and-a-sixteenth.
Her most recent start on turf came three starts back when fourth in the $75,000 Monroe won by Ocean Club when racing a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Gulfstream in May. In two races since, she was second in the $75,000 My Pal Chrisy overnight handicap at a mile on the main track and third in the $95,000 Sheer Drama Handicap going seven furlongs, both won by Beth’s Dream at Gulfstream.
Charlie’s Wish is by Double Diamond Farm’s First Dude out of Superior Sarah, by Werblin and she was bred in Florida by Three Gin Guys Stable. She has won four with six seconds and four thirds in 17 career starts while banking $328,679.
Miguel Vasquez rides from post one.
Florida-bred Chick’s Shadow is looking to repeat her last out victory on the Gulfstream synthetic in the $75,000 Frolic’s Revenge overnight handicap at a mile-and-70-yards on Aug. 17.
The 7-year-old daughter of Seek Again has four wins in 22 starts on grass but has just one third in three starts over the Gulfstream turf. That came in February in a $35,000 starter allowance optional claiming going a mile-and-a-sixteenth. Her most recent victory on grass came last year in August when she won a $20,000 starter allowance at Colonial Downs.
Angel Rodriguez trains Chick’s Shadow for owner and breeder Dave McGinn, for whom she has earned $298,933 in nine wins from 46 starts with seven seconds and 10 thirds. She is out of the Shuailaan mare Dick’s Chick and will carry Samy Camacho from post nine and they are 15-1 on the morning line.
Majestic Venezuela is the program favorite at 7-2 having won the $75,000 Miss Gracie going a mile on the Gulfstream Park turf in her last race on Aug. 3.
The 3-year-old filly has won three of her last four races including a maiden special weight for fillies going a mile-and-70-yards on synthetic on April 7 and a first level, $75,000 optional claiming going seven-and-a-half furlongs on grass on May 19, both at Gulfstream.
Her only loss during the span came when second to De Regreso in the $75,000 Martha Washington going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on synthetic at Gulfstream on June 8.
Majestic Venezuela is by Mendelssohn out of Downtown Diva, by Giant’s Causeway and has won three with four seconds and a third in eight starts while earning $148,400.
Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. has named Emisael Jaramillo to ride from post eight.
Rounding out the field are Angel Nadeshiko with jockey Joe Bravo, Violet Gibson (Ire) and rider Edgard Zayas, Strand of Gold will be ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, Boston Rose will have Sony Leon in the saddle, Teshawn Hazelwood has the mount on Show Off, Katies a Lady will be ridden by Leonel Reyes, Javier Morelos takes the call on Cindylouwho, Swoonatra and jockey Edgar Perez and Drayden Van Dyke rides Towser. Florida-bred Friendlypersuasion is on the also-eligible list.
