BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Daniel Alonso’s One Sharp Cookie has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite for Sunday’s featured ninth race at Gulfstream Park, a first condition, $20,000 optional claiming for Florida-breds, 3-years-old and older. Set at seven furlongs on the main track with a purse of $48,000, the contest has attracted a field of 10.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who is currently running away in the trainer standings at the Royal Palm meet with 65 wins to Jose D’Angelo’s 31 through Friday, One Sharp Cookie broke his maiden in his sixth career start on May 23 at Gulfstream. The nearly three-length victory came against maiden special weight Florida-breds going six-and-a-half furlongs.
In one start since, One Sharp Cookie was third behind winner El Principito in a first condition allowance for Florida-breds going six-and-a-half furlongs on June 16.
One Sharp Cookie is by Sharp Azteca out of Peppermint Fire, by Sidney’s Candy and was bred in Florida by Karen J. Silva.
He is a three-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales having first sold for $16,000 to C-G Stables at the 2022 Winter Mixed Sale where he was consigned by Stuart Morris. Sweet River Thoroughbreds then consigned him to the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale where he brought $130,000 on a final bid from Mathis Stable. Top Line Sales then consigned him to the 2023 OBS Spring Sale where Alonso bought him for $40,000.
One Sharp Cookie has since earned $74,060 from one win in seven starts with three seconds and two thirds.
Edgard Zayas, who is currently dominating the jockey standings at the Royal Palm meet with 88 wins to Emisael Jaramillo’s 61, will ride One Sharp Cookie from post eight.
Joseph will also saddle Practically Dark, a winner of six-furlong maiden special weight going six furlongs his last race on June 9 at Gulfstream.
The 3-year-old gelded son of Practical Joke will make only his fifth career start Sunday while trying to build on earnings of $55,170. He is out of Midnight Magic, by Midnight Lute and was bred in Florida by Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg DVM.
In addition to his maiden-breaking victory, Practically Dark has a second and a third in four starts with earnings of $55,170.
Drayden Van Dyke will ride Practically Dark from post nine and they are 5-2 in the program.
Also look for Dr Bayter for ProRacing Stable LLC and trainer Jose D’Angelo, a winner of an $8,000 claiming going seven furlongs on June 1 at Gulfstream in his last start.
Dr Bayter has won two of his last three including a $20,000 claiming going seven furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs on March 6. His only loss in that span came around two turns at Keeneland when seventh in a $50,000 claiming won by Yo Daddy going eight-and-a-half furlongs on April 14.
Dr Bayter is by Girvin out of Distorted Sunrays, by Drosselmeyer and was bred in Florida by Ponder Hill Inc. He has three wins and a second in seven lifetime starts with a $52,195 bankroll.
Emisael Jaramillo will ride Dr Bayter from post four and they are 6-1 in the program.
Completing the entries are Cross Haste and jockey Sonny Leon, Uncaptured Star will have Carlos Lugo aboard, Raging Fury has Jose Morelos taking the call, Black Fury with Joseph Trejos up, Rouki has rider Edwin Gonzalez and Leonel Reyes rides Rebelde.
