Cucina returns from layoff in turf sprint

HALLANDALE, Fla. – Cucina, whose last start came in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes over the Woodbine turf course on Sept. 15, will try allowance company for the first time when he makes his 3-year-old debut in Wednesday’s $44,000 main event. The race is carded at five furlongs on the turf and is restricted to Florida-breds. It serves as the fourth leg in the Rainbow 6 sequence, which will offer a guaranteed jackpot of $1 million.

Cucina began his career with trainer Mark Casse, finishing second in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight dash here last May. He won his maiden over a sloppy main track at Belmont Park five weeks later before journeying to Saratoga where he was a troubled fourth in the Grade 3 Sanford. Casse switched the son of Northern Afleet to turf for his final two juvenile starts, which included a seventh-place finish in the one-mile Summer Stakes over a yielding course.

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Cucina was subsequently transferred to trainer Bill Mott and has had three works prepping for his return, all at Gulfstream Park, including a half-mile in 47.60 on May 2. Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez has the call on Wednesday.

Both The Virginian and Freezer Burn exit a maiden win, with The Virginian going five furlongs on the turf on Feb. 13, and Freezer Burn winning by a neck going six furlongs on the main track one month earlier. Freezer Burn is one of three fillies in the lineup along with Song River and Dancing Destroyer.