Emmajestic faces formidable foes in turf route
Emmajestic is just a nose shy of being ineligible for the first-level allowance restriction that governs the Sunday co-feature at Gulfstream Park, having been defeated by that slim margin on the first of two Stars of Tomorrow programs at the Churchill Downs fall meet.
“That was a tough beat that day,” said trainer Dale Romans, who will send out Emmajestic and Flying Tipat as an uncoupled entry in the 10th of 11 Sunday races at Gulfstream in south Florida. “Hopefully, she’ll get through this condition sooner than later.”
Emmajestic figures to have a demanding task when facing the likes of All in Fun, Walking the Kitten, and Whispering Angel in a wide-open, 1 1/16-mile turf allowance that also has a $75,000 claiming option. The race is the second of back-to-back, $48,000 allowances anchoring a program that begins at the usual 12:40 p.m. Eastern.
After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for two days before a six-day week commences Wednesday. Racing will be held next Monday, Jan. 19, because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, with the following Wednesday, Jan. 21, being a dark day.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Little Rooster (Beyers: N/A)
◗ Yet another promising Team Valor import, this filly by 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York won her only start overseas and surfaces as a real wild card in here. She has had nine works in Chicago, Kentucky, and Florida since being sent to Wayne Catalano.
All in Fun (Beyers: 75-65)
◗ This $200,000 yearling purchase has been away nearly three months after having come through as the favorite in a full-field maiden-special turf race at Belmont Park and has had four Payson Park works since early December for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 All in Fun. Trainer Shug McGaughey is 16-4-1-1 with a $4.05 ROI over the past five years in turf routes following a maiden win and a layoff of 45 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Walking the Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: (N/A-63-62)
◗ Something went awry when she bolted in a non-graded stakes on the final weekend of the Gulfstream Park West meet, but Mike Maker has been taking all the necessary steps to ensure nothing of the sort occurs again. This filly is another in the long line of talented offspring of Kitten’s Joy bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Walking the Kitten. Trainer Mike Maker is 32-11-4-4 with a $2.91 ROI over the past two years in turf routes at Gulfstream in the second start following a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Whispering Angel (Beyer: 74)
◗ The first and only start at Gulfstream Park West for this Bobby Flay-owned filly was very impressive, as she circled a full field of maidens from far back to prevail under Joe Bravo, who gets the mount back here. Todd Pletcher, whose nomination for a possible seventh Eclipse Award as top trainer was announced this week, shows outstanding percentages in all the categories that apply here.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Whispering Angel. Trainer Todd Pletcher is 25-1-5-3 with a $0.14 ROI over the past five years in turf routes following a winning debut. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Emmajestic (Last 3 Beyers: 65-59-58)
◗ This Zayat Stables homebred with an already-established come-from-behind style shows five workouts at Churchill and Palm Meadows in preparation for her return from an 11-week layoff while adding top jockey Joel Rosario.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 10 Flying Tipat. Trainer Dale Romans is 19-0-4-3 over the past five years in turf routes following a maiden win and a layoff of 45 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan