Sweet Symphony Tries Gulfstream Comeback

Sweet Symphony, who hasn’t raced since finishing far back in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park, will make her debut as a 4-year-old in the $200,000 Rampart Handicap today at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Bill Mott for owner George Steinbrenner’s Kinsman Stable, the daughter of A.P. Indy won the first four starts of her career last year before tailing off in a pair of Grade I races.

Before she was beaten 25 1/4 lengths by longshot Pleasant Home in the Distaff, Sweet Symphony finished fourth in the Beldame four weeks earlier at Belmont.

In what will be her first race outside New York, Sweet Symphony will have five opponents -- Eyes On Eddy, Oonagh Macool, Mocita, Classy Charm and Saint Kris -- in the Rampart, a Grade II at 1 1/8 miles.

Cornelio Velasquez, who rode Sweet Symphony to a win at 17-1 in her debut at Belmont on May 12, is back aboard today. He takes over for the retired Jerry Bailey, who rode her in her last five starts of 2005.

Among the others, Oonagh Macool is the only one entering the Rampart off a win. The Irish-bred daughter of Giant’s Causeway won by eight lengths in her main track debut on Feb. 11. The 4-year-old, who won two of three on the turf, will have Rafael Bejarano aboard.

Race of the day: Hill Of Grace, who was much troubled in her U.S. debut on Feb. 17, will seek her second lifetime win in the fifth race at Santa Anita today.

The race is significant on two fronts. It is part of the next-to-last Magna 5 and it is the first leg of a pick six with a carry-over of $125,208. Owned by Wood Hall Stud and trained by Paddy Gallagher, Hill Of Grace is one of nine scheduled to go about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf in the $50,000 optional claimer.

One for the road: Shachner can make it two victories in a row as he debuts for trainer Scott Lake in the seventh race at Gulfstream. Roberto Alvarado Jr. will ride the 3-year-old Eltish gelding for Island Wind Racing in the $30,000 claimer for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.

Shachner beat $16,000 maidens on March 9, the day he was claimed by Lake.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Jack’s Kid in the third, Atozoe and Southern Moment in the fourth and Hill Of Grace and No Greater Love in the fifth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/188. Money: (previous day/meet total): $3.20/$1,110. Total money bet: $1,100.