Bluegrass Singer blows by field in Mucho Macho Man

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Bluegrass Singer ran the field off its feet in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes, posting a 44.98-second opening half before continuing on to a 1 3/4-length victory over Ami’s Flatter, with the others left far behind, in the main event on Saturday’s stakes-filled, 11-race program at Gulfstream Park.

Returning on just 17 days rest off a career-best effort going a mile under optional-claiming and allowance conditions in his 2-year-old finale, Bluegrass Singer broke a step slow but recovered to set the rapid pace while saving ground under jockey Javier Castellano. Bluegrass Singer readily pulled away from the 6-5 favorite Mawthooq turning for home, and despite continuing on his left lead throughout the stretch, he easily held safe a mild rally from Ami’s Flatter.

Mawthooq weakened steadily down the stretch to finish third, nearly nine lengths behind Ami’s Flatter.

Bluegrass Singer is trained by Marcus Vitali for Cross Sabres Farm LLC. He completed a mile over a fast track in 1:35.83 and paid $6.40.

“He’s a nice kind of colt. Well, actually he’s a gelding. I wish he was a colt,” said Vitali, who gelded Bluegrass Singer this summer while at Monmouth Park. “You know the old saying: Cut them and hope you regret it. I hope we will. We had some issues with him, and I thought it was necessary at the time. We’re in the racing game, not the hoping game. He’s matured, he’s really blossomed, and I’m just blessed to have him.”

Vitali said the strategy was to place Bluegrass Singer forwardly in the Mucho Macho Man after leading throughout to win his previous start.

“He looked like he broke a little awkwardly. He hasn’t put it all together yet,” said Vitali. “We’ll back off him a little now. We’re bringing him up slowly to the two turns, trying to prepare him properly, but I don’t think he’ll have a problem doing it.”

Vitali said “everything is a possibility” for Bluegrass Singer’s next start, including the Grade 2 Holy Bull here Jan. 24.