Curlin's Approval gets level playing field in Hurricane Bertie

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – One couldn’t blame Happy Alter if he felt he was ganged up on just a bit by the Todd Pletcher-trained duo of Genre and Eskenformoney here last month in the Grade 3 Rampart. Alter is the owner and breeder of Curlin’s Approval, who finished second behind Eskenformoney after engaging in a suicidal pace duel with Genre.

Alter will not have to worry about being tag-teamed again at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, when Curlin’s Approval returns in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie. Pletcher opted to let Eskenformoney sit this one out, leaving Genre on her own in the seven-furlong fixture, which drew six other fillies and mares, including the two-time stakes winner You Bought Her.

Curlin’s Approval and Genre went head to head for nearly the first seven furlongs of the one-mile Rampart. Curlin’s Approval edged clear through midstretch before succumbing grudgingly to Eskenformoney, who sat a perfect trip behind the embattled leaders.

Alter, a former trainer himself, said he has no qualms about the successful strategy Pletcher employed in the Rampart.

“I think Todd Pletcher, the great trainer that he is, did exactly what any good coach or trainer would do if he had two horses in the race, as he did,” said Alter. “It was excellent strategy, and I respect him for it.”

Alter said Curlin’s Approval couldn’t be doing better coming into Saturday’s rematch with Genre, citing her next-to-last work, a five-furlong breeze in 58 seconds at Gulfstream with leading rider Luis Saez aboard.

“With Pletcher having only one horse, I think things will be a little different this time,” said Alter.

Saez will be aboard Curlin’s Approval for the first time in the Hurricane Bertie.

Genre, who is likely to be bred later this season, won 4 of 8 starts and was Grade 1-placed in 2016. Her most important victory came in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park. The Rampart will be her first start going as short as seven furlongs.

“She’s always run well at Gulfstream,” said Pletcher. “She’s tactical enough going a mile, so we thought backing her up to seven-eighths might make sense.”

You Bought Her was expected to be retired following her second-place finish a week ago in the Sunshine Millions Distaff, as she’s got a date to be bred this spring to California Chrome. But her connections have decided to give her one last chance Saturday.

You Bought Her has finished second in three consecutive starts since shipping to Florida during the fall. She fell a length short of upsetting Dearest in the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl here last month and before that was second behind Moment of Delight at Gulfstream Park West in the Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview.

Recent stakes winner Bodacious Babe, Distinta, Sugar Cone, Improv, and Linda Linda complete the field.

– additional reporting by Jay Privman