Much of the pre-race attention regarding Saturday’s G3 Gulfstream Park Sprint revolved around the outside horse, Mind Your Biscuits. The focus was warranted. The four-year-old entered the race off of three straight triple digit Beyers, including crossing the wire third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and taking the G1 Malibu. The spotlight began to shift inside, however, when the horses entered the paddock.
Unified drew instant attention from commentators on his appearance, drawing rave reviews from Gulfstream’s Gabby Gaudet before being selected as Caton Bredar’s paddock pick on TVG. The feedback reflected highly on the job done by both Paula Parsons during his summer and fall break in Middleburg, Virginia and Jimmy Jerkens since rejoining the track in December. The dark bay colt lived up to his looks from the get-go. Unified broke on top beneath Jose Ortiz, opened up down the stretch, and had enough left in the tank off of the June layoff to hold off the G1 winner.
The stunning performance ran Unified’s record to four wins from five starts, including three graded stakes victories and undefeated going one turn. Everything indicates he has nothing but upside for the remainder of his career, after which he is slated to retire alongside his sire, Candy Ride, at Lane’s End Farm. Enjoy some of the coverage and feedback from Unified’s four-year-old debut!
Terrific race at @GulfstreamPark! Great to see Unified back for @Centennial_Farm as he JUST holds off Mind Your Biscuits.
— Andy Serling (@andyserling) February 25, 2017
Congratulations to @Centennial_Farm‘s comebacking Unified who ran his eyes out to win. What a champ.
— Emily Shields (@ZenyattaMafia) February 25, 2017
UNIFIED is such a BEAST when he’s on his game winning @GulfstreamPark Sprint for @Centennial_Farm with @jose93_ortiz up!
— Saratoga Slim (@SaratogaSlim) February 25, 2017
@Centennial_Farm He’s all CLASS !!!
Looked and ran Great. Was ready to rumble today for sure.
— Matthew J. Ellis (@MatthewJEllis2) February 25, 2017
102 Beyer for @Centennial_Farm‘s Unified (Candy Ride) in G3 @GulfstreamPark Sprint under @jose93_ortiz for Jimmy Jerkens. pic.twitter.com/L3mcideqIE
— Steve Byk (@Steve_Byk) February 26, 2017
GP Sprint was awesome. Gotta think a rematch between Unified and Mind Your Biscuits will take place in the Carter. Jimmy J is a master.
— Jason Blewitt (@jasonblewitt30) February 25, 2017
Jimmy Jerkens has got to be commended for Unified’s performance off the layoff. Blew him out yesterday a.m. to make him extra sharp today.
— Gabby Gaudet (@Gabby_Gaudet_) February 25, 2017
In a season of discord, 2017 is gonna be UNIFIED’s year! #G1baby https://t.co/iNtRmpeuC4
— Claire Novak (@BH_CNovak) February 26, 2017
This weekend’s top @Equibase figures (Stakes): Hogy 122 @flothejock, Unified 121 @jose93_ortiz @Centennial_Farm
— Equibase (@Equibase) February 27, 2017
Going into the weekend we did not think Unified would make our #1 Star! What a performance!https://t.co/C2Pa0ZK3hf
— Racing Dudes (@racing_dudes) February 27, 2017
