Curlin's Approval returns in Ana T. Stakes

Curlin’s Approval will take the first step on what owner-trainer Happy Alter hopes will be a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup later this year when she faces just four rivals in Sunday’s $75,000 Ana T. Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The seven-furlong Ana T. serves as a prep for the Grade 2 Princess Rooney on June 30, a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, and shares top billing on an excellent 12-race program with the $75,000 Crystal River Stakes.

Curlin’s Approval earned her way into last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint by virtue of an easy 4 1/2-length triumph in the Princess Rooney, a performance that came on the heels of a couple of dull efforts in graded stakes at both Gulfstream and Churchill Downs. The Ana T., however, will give Alter the opportunity this year to get an easier prep prior to the Princess Rooney for his multiple graded-stakes winner.

Curlin’s Approval has not started since a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Royal Delta on Feb. 19. The mare has worked six times since April 5, posting a couple of bullet five-furlong drills within a nine-day span early last month.

“She’s been doing well, as her breezes show,” Alter said. “Sometimes horses need a race after being off for a while, but we’re hoping that’s not the case. She looks good. She’s put weight on. There are some stakes horses in there, and we respect the competition, but I’m optimistic.”

Curlin’s Approval will have Tyler Gaffalione, who rode her twice earlier in her career, back aboard in the Ana T.

“He’s breezed her and he’s familiar with her,” Alter said.

Curlin’s Approval’s should receive her stiffest test from Rich Mommy, who has also had some time off since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Inside Information on March 17. Rich Mommy upset the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl in her 3-year-old finale. She finished three-quarters of a length behind Curlin’s Approval in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie on Jan. 27, with both defeated by the longshot Jordan’s Henny.

The remainder of the field includes Doritza, Yes I’ll Go, and Ms. Scarlet Fever.

Pay Any Price may be tested

The connections of Pay Any Price were hoping to get their North American five-furlong turf record-holder to the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but ran out of time following a midseason setback. They’ll try again this year, with the Crystal River another stepping-stone in that direction.

Pay Any Price, now 8, has won 3 of 5 starts on the comeback trail for the partnership of Richard Averill and Matties Racing. He’s also won 9 of his 13 tries over the Gulfstream Park inner strip, although he could face a stern challenge in the five-furlong Crystal River from the red-hot Focus On Me, who has suddenly found a home on grass with a win and a second-place finish against high-level optional-claiming opposition since trainer David Braddy returned him to the turf earlier this spring.

Both Pay Any Price and Focus On Me are at their best on the lead, and the potential for any early speed battle between the two favorites would likely enhance the chances of Little Chesney, who appears to be the one legit closer in the field.