Big expectations for Birdonthewire favorite Dekabrist

Trainer Gennadi Dorochenko has been a dominant force since 2-year-old racing began at Gulfstream Park this spring. On Saturday, Dorochenko hopes all that success will continue when he sends out his leading juvenile prospect, Dekabrist, along with five others in the Birdonthewire and Cassidy stakes, the first two major races for 2-year-olds of the local season.

Both the Birdonthewire and its filly counterpart, the Cassidy, will be decided at 5 1/2 furlongs for a $75,000 purse.

Dekabrist became an instant sensation when he captured his debut by 15 lengths while earning a 90 Beyer Speed Figure. He came back to register a harder-fought victory over just three rivals in the Kodiak Island Stakes in his only other start.

“Maybe I’m wrong, but I know he’s a very good horse, a Derby prospect, although I guess we’ll find out more on Saturday,” said Dorochenko. “I’ve already turned down some big offers to buy this horse. But I’m not starving in the streets. You get a horse like this one time in your life. If I make a mistake, I make a mistake. And 5 1/2 furlongs is like a workout for him. I am 100 percent sure he wants to go further.”

Dekabrist tuned up for the Birdonthewire by working a bullet half-mile in 46.83 seconds and galloping out five-eighths in 59.60 on Sunday.

Dekabrist is one of three colts Dorochenko will send out in the Birdonthewire, along with Kulak, who finished a troubled third behind his mate in the Kodiak Island on June 14, and the maiden Kutuzov.

Dorochenko also entered three fillies in the Cassidy – recent maiden winners Artistic Touch and Ryabinka, along with the maiden Wild Paris, who is on the also-eligible list in the bulky 15-horse field.

Trainer Stanley Gold will counter Dorochenko with four starters, two apiece in the Birdonthewire and the Cassidy.

Gold is no stranger to turning out top-caliber young horses, having developed the likes of Jackson Bend, Awesome Feather, and Fort Loudon for owner-breeder Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm. And he appears to have another pair of future stakes winners on his hand with Dogwood Trail and Standard Deal coming off impressive maiden tallies prepping for the Cassidy.

Dogwood Trail drew off to a 5 3/4-length victory in her only start while receiving an 84 Beyer after completing 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.50.

Standard Deal finished second in her bow before getting Lasix and blinkers for the first time and graduating by 5 1/4 lengths June 14.

“Before we ever sent Dogwood Trail to the track, just looking at her, I said, ‘This is the one,’ ” said Gold. “Maybe we were right, but Standard Deal ran a pretty bang-up race, too. The day that she won, she ran five-eighths faster than Dekabrist when he won the stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs later that same afternoon.”

Gold will try to upset Dekabrist in the Birdonthewire with Jacks or Better homebreds Of Course and the maiden Sing Praises.

Carlito’s Dream, who won his only start by 13 1/2 lengths while racing under a $50,000 claiming tag; the undefeated Wicked Rascal, and the speedy I’m Venezuelan, the runner-up in the Kodiak Island, also are key contenders in the Birdonthewire.

Debut winners Coco’s Wildcat and Naval Command, along with the speedy Curlin’s Princess, appear to have the best chance of defeating the Gold duo in the Cassidy.