Gulfstream Park: Hansen puts in final work for Holy Bull

Tom Keyser

Hansen is expected to make his 3-year-old debut in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Eclipse Award winner Hansen led a parade of notable horses to work over both the main and turf courses on a gorgeous Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park.

Hansen, who has done the majority of his work in the dark since his arrival here last month, turned in his final prep for next Sunday’s Grade 3 Holy Bull after the first renovation break. Working in company and outside stablemate Lou Brissie, Hansen posted splits of 22.58 seconds and 34.31 for his opening quarter and three-eighths before tiring some approaching the wire, completing five furlongs in 59.81 while also appearing to lean in just a bit on his mate at the end. Hansen shut down rather quickly, galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.70.

“It was nothing out of character, he worked just fine,” trainer Mike Maker said later Sunday morning. “We’ve had no bumps in the road. Hopefully, that trend continues.”

Other notable works over the main track here Sunday were turned in by Royal Currier, who zipped five-eighths in 58.42 for Saturday’s Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint; Big Screen, an up and coming 3-year-old prospect for trainer Frank Alexander who went five furlongs in 59.44; and Gourmet Dinner, among the top 3-year-old prospects on the grounds here last season before being sidelined by injury, a very easy six furlongs in 1:17.66.

Turf works were highlighted by Little Mike, who just cruised through five furlongs in 1:02.91 under jockey Joe Bravo in preparation for his role as the heavy favorite in Saturday’s Florida Sunshine Millions Turf; his stablemate Tapitsfly, a very easy half-mile in 49.86; and AskbutIwon’ttell who finished strong under little urging at the end of her five-eighths breeze in 1:01.78 for the Florida Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf.