Heavenly Prize Probably Best Challenger in Donn

Because of a 13-pound edge in the weights, the champion Heavenly Prize may have the best chance of beating Cigar in Saturday’s Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

The linemaker at Gulfstream still makes owner-breeder Allen Paulson’s horse the 3-5 favorite, with Heavenly Prize the second choice in the eight-horse field at 4-1. Heavenly Prize was the champion 3-year-old filly in 1994, has won nine of 17 starts and earned $1.7 million. Now a 5-year-old mare, she will carry 115 pounds to Cigar’s 128.

Others running in the Donn are Star Standard, Wekiva Springs, Bound by Honor, Primitive Hall, Flying Chevron and Bay Street Star. Wekiva Springs, a stablemate of Cigar, is closest to him in the weights with 117 pounds.