Castlebrook tries shorter distance

MIAMI - Castlebrook, whose four stakes victories this season have all been around two turns, turns back to 6 1/2 furlongs Saturday in the $60,000 U Can Do It Handicap at Calder.

Castlebrook became the leader of the local filly and mare division when she won four stakes within 2 1/2 months, from June 25 through Sept. 15. Three of those victories came at 1 1/16 miles and the other at a mile. A poor start cost Castlebrook, a daughter of Montbrook, her best chance in her last appearance, the Shocker T Handicap on Oct. 13.

Castlebrook has not sprinted since May 2000, when she rallied to finish second behind Logan's Press Card in Gulfstream Park's seven-furlong Enjoy the Silence Stakes.

Trainer Bill Kaplan has named Rosemary Homeister Jr. to ride Castlebrook, who will carry high weight of 119 pounds, one more than Sugar N Spice.

Sugar N Spice, one of the premier sprinters on the grounds over the past couple of seasons, returned to the top of her game when she rallied to a 2 1/4-length victory in the Goldarama Handicap on Oct. 28. The win was her first since March 17, when she upset Hialeah's Gold Beauty Handicap.

Platinum Tiara, who ran third in the Goldarama, should improve off that effort, her first sprint in several races. She is one of three 3-year-olds in the field, along with Rich Peace and Diablo's Girl.

The U Can Do It serves as a final prep to the Grade 3 Chaposa Springs Handicap on Dec. 29.

Arch rivals face off

The U Can Do It shares top billing on the 12-race program with the $60,000 The Vid Stakes for 3-year-olds on turf. A full field of 12 plus three also-eligibles was drawn for the 1 1/16 mile race. The line-up is led by arch rivals T V Sports Director and Built Up.

T V Sports Director is the leader of the local 3-year-old turf division following victories in the Roman Brother and Needles stakes. The son of Line In the Sand has won his last four starts on grass, with his only two losses since June 15 coming on the main track in the Unbridled Stakes and Calder Derby.

Built Up's form has tailed off since he won back-to-back stakes earlier this year. He showed improvement last out, finishing third behind Western Pride in the Calder Derby.

Tour of the Cat finished second in the Calder Derby, and before that finished second behind T V Sports Director in the Needles Stakes on the grass. The runner-up in the Grade 3 Flamingo Stakes, Tour of the Cat has not been worse than third in his last five starts.

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