Gulfstream Park notes: Pletcher filly cruises in debut

Leslie Martin

Highestmaintenance, a $240,000 purchase, is owned by Mike Repole.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Add Highestmaintenance to the long list of soon-to-be 3-year-old prospects trainer Todd Pletcher will have at Gulfstream Park this winter. A Macho Uno filly, she cruised to a one-sided victory launching her career in Thursday's seventh race.

Highestmaintenance, a $240,000 purchase earlier this year at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March sale, is owned by Mike Repole.

"She's a talented filly," Pletcher said in the winner's circle after the race. "We bought her in March, she had some baby issues, so we gave her some time off. Mike's a patient guy. He's blessed with a deep stable and can take his time, and it paid off."

Pletcher said he had no immediate plans for Highestmainenance's next start.

Next uncertain for Tulira Castle

Trainer Jim DiVito said he is undecided whether he'll run his top 2-year-old prospect Tulira Castle in the Gulfstream Park Derby on Jan. 1. Tulira Castle rallied to a 2 1/4-length optional claiming victory going a mile in his first start on dirt in his juvenile finale here Dec. 8.
"What I want to do is run in the Florida Derby," DiVito said. "How I get there, I don't know yet. I thought his last race was very impressive for his first start on dirt."

Tulira Castle also is nominated to the Spectacular Bid.

The Gulfstream Park Derby attracted 37 nominees, among then Black Onyx who worked five furlongs in 1:01.16 with jockey Luis Saez aboard here Thursday.

** O'Prado Again, winner of the Grade 2 Remsen at 2, and the Grade 3-placed Heavy Breathing, idle since July, headline Sunday's $57,500 allowance feature going a mile on the grass.
The race drew a field of nine that also includes El Commodore, Master Dunker, Chosen Empire, Mr. Online, El Romano, Burn The Mortgage, and Kings Over.

** Animal Kingdom continued preparations for his 2013 debut when he worked five furlongs in 1:02.03 over the Palm Meadow turf course Thursday. Animal Kingdom, second behind Wise Dan in the Breeders' Cup Mile, is scheduled to launch his campaign in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap on Feb. 9.