Godolphin Mile pencilled in for Sharp Azteca

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Sharp Azteca, most recently second in the Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, was scheduled to breeze Sunday at his Gulfstream West base in preparation for the Gulfstream Park Handicap next Saturday, Feb. 11, according to trainer Jorge Navarro.

Assuming a good effort, Sharp Azteca would run next in the $1 million Godolphin Mile on March 25 at Meydan in Dubai.

“He’s already invited, and we are 100 percent to go to Dubai if he runs good here next weekend,” said Navarro. “He is really doing well.”

Sharp Azetca, with 4 wins and 3 seconds from 9 starts, has been on a regular work schedule since the Malibu.

Here’s an early look at the three graded stakes to be run here next Saturday:

◗ Grade 1, $350,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap: This 1 1/8-mile race shapes up as a rematch from the Jan. 14 Fort Lauderdale, in which Flatlined, Almanaar, and Divisidero were the top three finishers.

◗ Grade 2, $350,000 Gulfstream Handicap: Besides Sharp Azteca, other likely starters include Tommy Macho and Bird Song, the one-two finishers from the Jan. 14 Hal’s Hope.

◗ Grade 3, $150,000 Suwannee River: Sandiva, the winner of the Jan. 14 Marshua’s River as the favorite, looms largest among the 26 fillies and mares nominated to this 1 1/8-mile turf race.