Spirit Wind needs to run like the wind in Hurricane Bertie
At 0h02, on March 9, 2024 • By GULFSTREAM
Spirit Wind will seek to win her second straight stakes triumph in Saturday’s $125,000 Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream Park while looking for her first victory for Miller Racing LLC and leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
Spirit Wind will need to run like the wind to send her new connections to the winner’s circle following the 19th running of the Hurricane Bertie, a 6 ½-furlong stakes for older fillies and mares that will co-headline Saturday’s 11-race program with the $100,000 Silks Run, a five-furlong turf dash for older horses.
“She’s doing well. She’s coming into the race in good order. She won [ the Sugar Swirl] for different connections. We bought her after that race,” Joseph said. “I expect her to run well.”
The 5-year-old daughter of Bahamian Squall, who captured the Dec. 23 Sugar Swirl (G3) at Gulfstream for owner/breeder Jacks or Better Farm Inc. and trainer Carlos David, will face a deep field of eight fillies and mares, including new stablemate Libban, whom Joseph trains for C2 Racing and Paul Braverman.
Privately purchased since her front-running victory in the six-furlong Sugar Swirl, Spirit Wind has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the Hurricane Bertie. The Jacks or Better homebred mare has shown superior speed during an eight-race career that includes a 15 ½-length maiden score in her second start that was followed by open-lengths victories in the Any Limit and Musical Romance. Her attempt to complete an undefeated 2022 campaign fell short with a second-place finish behind multiple Grade 1-stakes winner Ce Ce in the Princess Rooney (G2) at Gulfstream.
