Castellano to ride Sharp Azteca in Godolphin Mile

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Javier Castellano has regained the mount on Sharp Azteca for the $1 million Godolphin Mile on March 31 in Dubai. Castellano already had planned on giving up the mount on Audible in the Florida Derby the same day after committing to West Coast in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Audible, winner of the Feb. 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream in his most recent start, now will be ridden by John Velazquez.

Sharp Azteca, trained by Jorge Navarro, was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. when he finished eighth in his last start, the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup. Before that, Castellano rode Sharp Azteca in winning the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct in December.

Machismo joins Derby trail

Owner Ron Paolucci and trainer Anthony Quartarolo were seriously considering Machismo for the Gotham at Aqueduct or the Tampa Bay Derby a week from Saturday before they decided to make the More Than Ready colt a last-minute entry in the Fountain of Youth.

Machismo earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure in an 11 1/2-length maiden victory at 6 1/2 furlongs here in his fourth career start Feb. 3.

◗ Cicatrix, unbeaten in two starts, was withdrawn as one of the favorites for the Davona Dale after sustaining an unspecified injury this week in her training at Palm Meadows.

“She’s going on the shelf for a while,” said trainer Ian Wilkes. “We’re still evaluating. The best-laid plans sometimes don’t work out.”

◗ Caledonia Road, the 2-year-old filly champion of 2017, had her second breeze since returning from minor ankle surgery, going a half-mile in 50.60 seconds Wednesday at Gulfstream.

“Everything went as planned,” said trainer Ralph Nicks, who is hoping to make the Kentucky Oaks with the filly, with one prep race beforehand.

◗ Bella Tapisserie, a sharp maiden winner last out for trainer Jaime Mejia, is among seven 3-year-olds in the Friday co-feature at Gulfstream, a $51,000 first-level allowance at seven furlongs. It’s the ninth of 11 races on a card that starts at 12:35 p.m. Eastern and includes one other allowance (race 7), a $51,000 first-level mile for older horses.

Before Bella Tapisserie won Feb. 18, Mejia had gone winless from 98 starters at the championship meet.

◗ Three Rules, the standout Florida-bred, has been turned out on a local farm after coming up with a foot issue, according to trainer Jose Pinchin, who had hoped to run the 4-year-old colt Saturday in the Gulfstream Park Sprint. Three Rules has earned $964,160 from 12 starts.