Gulfstream: Brethren set for return

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Brethren, a major player on the Kentucky Derby trail last winter until his disappointing 11th-place finish in the Arkansas Derby, is about ready to launch his comeback, trainer Todd Pletcher said this weekend. Brethren, a homebred son of Distorted Humor owned by WinStar Farm, has worked six times at Palm Meadows, including a near-bullet five-eighths in 59.80 seconds on Sunday.

“He had a poor performance in the Arkansas Derby, so we just decided to give him some time off. He never really had any serious issues,” said Pletcher. “He’s ready to go, now we have to figure out where to start him back. I have him nominated for the Sir Shackleton, but nothing is definite yet.”

The $60,000 Sir Shackleton is carded at 6 1/2 furlongs on the Florida Derby undercard on March 31.