Salve Germania to make Florida debut Thursday - 03-03-10

March 3 - To say that 5-year-old mare Salve Germania can be unpredictable is an understatement. Who can forget how she threw off jockey, Javier Castellano, right before she cruised to a surprise victory in her U.S. debut in the Ballston Spa Handicap (Gr 2) last year. On Thursday she makes her Florida debut.

The Irish-bred mare will start in a $51,000 Allowance on Thursday at Gulfstream Park where she'll compete against 11 other fillies and mares four-years-old and up over 1 1/16 miles on turf. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Salve Germania went on to run in Canada's E.P. Taylor Stakes last year, but finished in fifth place.

But Pletcher will obviously be hoping she regains her form in tomorrow's race where she'll go up against a field not nearly as strong as that in the Ballston. Before she arrived in the United States, Salve Germania only racked up a single win from eights starts. However, Pletcher's stable has invested a lot of time in her.

Although she'll start as the 3/1 favourite tomorrow, there are a couple of runners that could make life difficult for her. These include stakes winner Providanza, who is trained by Christophe Clement. A 4-year-old filly, Providanza has won over 1 mile and 1 1/4 mile, but in her last start in the Calder Oaks she came seventh.

Aaroness could also pose a threat to Salve Germania, provided she makes it into the race off the also-eligible list. Since coming to the U.S. from Ireland last year and going to trainer Michael Matz, she has one win from four starts. She won a first-level allowance race at Churchill Downs in her last race of 2009.

The fact that Salve Germania will have Castellano aboard on Thursday will not be lost on betting fans, and not just because he coaxed a victory out of her in the Ballston Spa Handicap, but because during this campaign he has been chalking up the wins over Gulfstream Park's turf course like a jockey possessed.

Here is the complete field and odds for the $51,000 Allowance at Gulfstream Park in Florida on Thursday, March 4:

1. Awesome Grannie (KY) 12/1
2. Speak Easy Gal (FL) 6/1
3. Salve Germania (IRE) 3/1
4. Providanza (FR) 12/1
5. Holiday Girl (MD) 12/1
6. Etincelle (KY) 12/1
7. Fire Water (KY) 20/1
8. Cades Bay (KY) 4/1
9. Bright Array (FL) 20/1
10. La Scorpianna (FL) 12/1
11. Talkin Indian (KY) 8/1
12. The Best Day Ever (KY) 6/1

Also Eligibles:

1. Sheikh's Serenade (KY) 3/1
2. Zister (KY) 10/1
3. Aaroness (KY) 6/1