Gulfstream: Impressive maiden winner Cal Nation returns in allowance

Saturday’s card at Gulfstream Park will also feature the much-anticipated return of Cal Nation, who registered a spectacular 7 3/4-length victory in his career debut on Feb. 5 for trainer Todd Pletcher. Cal Nation, a WinStar Farm homebred, will stretch from seven furlongs to a mile for his second start and takes on more experienced and stakes-tested rivals such as Bowman’s Causeway and I’m Steppin’ It Up.

Bowman’s Causeway, an impressive two-turn allowance winner earlier this winter, faces allowance company for the first time after finishing a troubled fourth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. I’m Steppin’ It Up makes his first start since finishing a well-beaten third behind Uncle Mo in the Grade 1 Champagne more than five months ago.

Cal Nation is one of two horses Pletcher entered in the race along with Dance City.