Emmanuel back in training after missing race with a fever

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Emmanuel figured as a short-priced favorite in a mile and 40-yard allowance Friday at Tampa Bay Downs, but instead was kept home at Palm Beach Downs by trainer Todd Pletcher after spiking a temperature.

“He’s fine,” said Pletcher. “It was kind of frustrating because we were hoping to get him some two-turn experience. We’ll regroup and figure out where we go from this.”

Emmanuel, owned by WinStar Farm and Siena Farm, returned to training Sunday, said Pletcher. The 3-year-old More Than Ready colt earned a 78 Beyer as a 6 3/4-length winner of his only start, a one-mile maiden race on Dec. 11 at Gulfstream Park. Pletcher occasionally has used two-turn Tampa races at this time of year for a lightly raced 3-year-old, such as in 2017 when the eventual Derby winner Always Dreaming won a Tampa maiden race.

Luis Saez had been scheduled to ride Emmanuel and therefore miss the entire Friday card at Gulfstream, where he entered this week as the leading jockey with 47 wins at the meet. Given sufficient notice, agent Kiaran McLaughlin got Saez on five mounts here that day, with one of them, Gloucester, winning a maiden-special.

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◗ Saturday was a day Matthew O’Connor won’t ever forget. The 23-year-old trainer upset the Grade 3 Tropical Turf with Clear Vision, making the Long Island native the youngest trainer to win a stakes here in recent memory.

“It means the world to me,” said O’Connor. “I’ve been working since I was 8, 9 years old just to follow the path to here.”

◗ Entries were to be drawn Wednesday for the weekend features at Gulfstream, the $75,000 Sunshine Classic and $75,000 Sunshine Sprint. The $75,000 Sunshine Turf and the $75,000 Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf are set for the following Saturday (Jan. 22), ahead of the huge Pegasus World Cup card on Jan. 29.

◗ Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield is nearing the 2,000-win milestone, although it’s doubtful he’ll reach it anytime soon given the way he rests much of his stable during the winter months. Attfield’s win total stands at 1,993 into this week.

◗ There will be no training Monday (Jan. 17) at Gulfstream on either the dirt or Tapeta because of a scheduled surface renovation.