Dubyuhnell heading to Florida, but could make return trip to New York

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Danny Gargan left bright and early Sunday morning for South Florida, and his Grade 2 Remsen Stakes winner Dubyuhnell will soon be joining him to prepare for his 3-year-old campaign.

Dubyuhnell, who beat Arctic Arrogance by a half-length in the Remsen, will be based at the Palm Meadows training center in South Florida for the winter. But that won’t preclude Gargan - if he so chooses - from sending the horse back to New York for the Withers Stakes, which is likely to be run on Feb. 4 at Aqueduct. The New York Racing Association has not yet released its 2023 winter stakes schedule.

“He’ll go this week to Florida, but he could show back up in New York,” Gargan said.

Naturally, there are ample races for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park including the Holy Bull (Feb. 4) and Fountain of Youth (March 4) and races like the Sam F. Davis and Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

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In 2018, the Gargan-trained Tax finished third in the Remsen, wintered in New York and in 2019 won the Withers and finished second in the Wood Memorial to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, in which he finished 15th.

“I think this colt will go longer and I think he’s more talented [than Tax],” Gargan said.

Dubyuhnell, a son of Good Magic, went 2 for 3 this year, finishing fourth in a seven-furlong debut at Saratoga and winning an off-the-turf one-mile race at Aqueduct on Oct. 2 before winning the Remsen. In the Remsen, run over an extremely sloppy track, Dubyuhnell raced within a half-length of the pacesetting Arctic Arrogance before outfinishing that one in the final 70 yards.

“I think he has potential to get better,” Gargan said. “Now he showed he doesn't have to be way out of it. I’m not worried about the distance. He acts like a horse that will keep going.”

Dubyuhnell, owned by West Paces Stable and Stonestreet Stable, earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance and 10 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.

Arctic Arrogance, who finished 11 1/4 lengths clear of favored Tuskegee Airmen, will remain with trainer Linda Rice in New York. Rice said she would likely wait to run him in the Withers. Artic Arrogance, a New York-bred son of Frosted, ran four times this year, winning twice including the Sleepy Hollow Stakes, and running second twice.

“To have a 2-year-old run four races as well as he has ... I’m thrilled,” Rice said. “It’s hard to get a 2-year-old to run four races much less four good races. If we find he’s beatable at a mile and an eighth, we can always back up to the Gotham.”

The Gotham, run at a one-turn mile, is typically held the first weekend in March.

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