Coronado's Vision steps up

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - A few days before First Samurai launches his 2006 debut, trainer Frank Brothers and owner Bruce Lunsford will try to pick up a little spending money with Coronado's Vision, who heads a first-level allowance race that serves as the feature race Wednesday at Gulfstream Park.

The feature, a one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, is the day's ninth race.

overcame a four-wide trip to defeat maidens at Churchill Downs on Nov. 12 in her second lifetime start. Bushfire, who finished third in that race, came back and won her next start, defeating Nancy Creek, who appears to be the main threat Wednesday to Coronado's Vision.

"She came down with a little infection in her hock after her last race, but she's doing well," Brothers said Monday morning. "She's always been a good work horse. It's a big step going from maidens to winners, especially at Gulfstream."

Mike Smith, who rode Coronado's Vision in her first two starts, is back aboard on Wednesday.

There are eight challengers for Coronado's Vision, the most notable being Nancy Creek. She finished third in a similar first-level allowance race at Gulfstream on Jan. 13. Her trainer, Michael Matz, on Monday said he was considering running Nancy Creek for owner Stuart Huston on Saturday in the Grade 2, $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, but was leaning toward remaining in Wednesday's race.

"I'll probably end up running, though I do think two turns will be good for her," Matz said at his barn at the Palm Meadows training center. "She's out of a St. Jovite mare, so a mile and an eighth should be a good distance for her. I'll talk to my brother-in-law, who owns the horse, and decide which one is best. I'd say there's a pretty good chance she'll run Wednesday. She needs experience."

broke a little sluggishly in her last start, then was caught four paths wide on the turn under jockey Javier Castellano, who is back aboard Wednesday.

"Javier said he took her back too much," Matz said. "I'd like to see her stay closer to the pace."

, a maiden winner at Keeneland last fall, is making her first start since tiring badly in the Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5. Trainer Nick Zito is giving the call to jockey Jeremy Rose.

In addition to Motion, Rebooked figures to be part of the early pace. She comes off a front-running victory at Calder in December.

- additional reporting by Mike Welsch