Photo: MEC
Donald Dizney’s 4-year-old homebred Bahamian Squall was very
impressive winning the Sunshine State Stakes here by 3 ½ lengths over
Fort Loudon going six furlongs on Dec. 2 for trainer David Fawkes and
will likely be the favorite to add Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions
Sprint to his growing resume.
“I think Bahamian Squall might end up the favorite in the Sprint. He
couldn’t be doing any better," said Fawkes. "We talked about maybe
bringing him back in the Mr. Prospector (G3) after he won the Sunshine
State so impressively, but decided to give him the extra time after
running such a big race.
“I really think he’ll be as good if not better than Apriority, but
we decided to take the opportunity to keep him with the Florida-breds
while we can. I’m pretty sure he’ll do well in open, Graded stakes and
there are plenty of opportunities for him to do that ahead."
A homebred son of Gone West out of Midway Squall, by Storm Bird,
Bahamian Squall has three wins and three seconds in eight starts and hit
his best stride last out winning Sunshine State over Indiano, who came
back to win the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes impressively on Dec. 29.
Bahamian Squall’s 6-year-old half-brother Apriority, by Grand Slam,
lost a head decision when second to emerging champion sprinter Amazombie
in the 2011 Sunshine Million Sprint here before a track record
allowance score going 6 ½ furlongs in his next start.
Apriority would go on to finish second in the Carter Handicap (G1)
at Aqueduct and lost another tough nose decision when second in the
Churchill Downs Sprint (G2). Apriority came back to win the Mr.
Prospector here last winter and lost another tough one finishing second
by a half-length in the Count Fleet Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park last
April.
Jockey Luis Saez rides Bahamian Squall in a full field of 12 that
also includes County Gun, Star Harbour, Quiz Whiz, Hello Prince, close
It Out, Little Drama, Shockemeagain, Off the Jak, Black Diamond Cat,
Cajun Breeze and Bernie the Maestro.