Two Appear to Make Grade

Eight horses are entered in today’s $500,000 Donn Handicap, but only two seem capable of winning the Grade I race at Gulfstream Park.

At the end of the 1 1/8 miles, either Medaglia d’Oro or Funny Cide figures to be standing in the winner’s circle.

Medaglia d’Oro is more reliable. The 5-year-old son of El Prado has been first or second in 13 of 15 starts and has trained well for his first start since he was second to Pleasantly Perfect in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Funny Cide, winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness, finished more than 13 lengths behind Medaglia d’Oro in the Breeders’ Cup but made a successful return on Jan. 10, defeating four others in a seven-furlong race.

If there is to be an upset, Puzzlement is the most likely candidate. He has never been worse than third in seven races at Gulfstream.

Race of the day: The Donn isn’t the only graded stakes on a terrific card at Gulfstream. Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Cajun Beat heads a field of seven in the $100,000 Deputy Minister at 6 1/2 furlongs. Society Selection, the 2003 Frizette winner, will have a new rider in Jerry Bailey when she makes her first start of the year in the $150,000 Davona Dale at 1 1/16 miles.

One for the road: Tina Bull can win on the lead or from off the pace and the versatility should serve her well in today’s $60,000 Pan Zareta Handicap at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Albatros, Beautiful Balance and Beyond Infinity in the sixth, Storm Pilot in the seventh and Legal Logic, Macward and Dixie Law in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/96. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3.60/$532.60. Total money bet: $546.