Gulfstream Park: Tulira Castle joins Holy Bull probables

The field for the Grade 3 Holy Bull on Jan.  26 at Gulfstream Park gained another player Friday after Tulira Castle worked a strong six furlongs in 1:14.18 for trainer Jim DiVito.

With jockey Javier Castelllano aboard, Tulira Castle completed his final quarter-mile in 25.48 seconds into a stiff headwind before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:26.58.

Tulira Castle, a son of War Pass, never finished worse than second in four starts at 2, capping the year by posting an impressive 2 1/4-length victory over first-level optional $75,000 claiming company going a mile here in his first start on dirt.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

“I was very pleased with the work and we’re definitely looking at the Holy Bull,” said DiVito. “It’s time to find out where we’re at with this colt. We’ve got to see where we fit in the 3-year-old picture. I think he’ll be fine getting the extra distance and my rider thinks he’ll have no problem getting the two turns.”

The Holy Bull is expected to draw a small but select field, led by the undefeated, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby.

Tulira Castle topped Friday’s work tab at Gulfstream that also included Little Drama, who worked a half-mile in 47.89 in preparation for a possible start in next Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Sprint.