Gulfstream: Kaplan has to make ‘Command’ decision

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Bill Kaplan will have a decision to make between now and Wednesday, when entries are taken and post positions drawn for the rich Summit of Speed card on July 5: whether to keep his promising 3-year-old filly Naval Command against her own kind in the Grade 3 Azalea or try her with older horses in the richer, more prestigious Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup race, the Grade 2 Princess Rooney.

Kaplan’s decision became a little tougher on Thursday after Naval Command turned in an outstanding six-furlong breeze from the gate. With jockey Juan Leyva aboard, Naval Command completed the distance in 1:12.03, posting splits of 23.40 seconds, 34.60, 46.10, and 58.90 while never really asked.

Naval Command has not started since finishing a solid fifth in the Grade 1 Alcibiades last October at Keeneland. In that race, Naval Command made a big middle move under Leyva from off an extremely fast pace to join the leaders in early stretch before flattening out from the effort near the end. She was making just her second start around two turns and her first on dirt.

“She moved a little too soon in the Alcibiades,” said Kaplan. “If you remember, all the horses that finished ahead of her came from far back. None of the horses in front of her early finished in front of her.”

Kaplan said “minor issues” kept him from getting Naval Command back to the races during the first half of her 3-year-old year. She is one of two fillies he has nominated to both the Azalea and the Princess Rooney, along with recent allowance winner Moment of Delight.

“I wanted to give her a good, quick work out of the gate this morning because she’s been away so long, and I was really impressed with her this morning,” said Kaplan. “She was never asked. Although she’s won on the turf and around two turns, I think sprinting is her game. She’s a really fast filly. I could go either way with her right now, but the Princess Rooney is more money, it’s a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup and doesn’t seem to be coming up that tough at the moment, so I’m seriously considering it right now. But I still have another week to make up my mind.”

Naval Command and Moment of Delight are among 19 fillies nominated for the seven-furlong Azalea, the majority of whom are locally based. The Princess Rooney attracted 25 nominations, including two other 3-year-olds, Dogwood Trail and Distinta, both of whom are expected to run in the Azalea.

The prospective starting lineup for the Princess Rooney, according to stakes coordinator Mike Costanza, consists of Flutterby, Joann’s Wildcat, Kiss to Remember, Merry Meadow, Nesso, R Free Roll, Sweet Basil, and Tea Time, with La Verdad and Amaranth listed as possible along with Naval Command.

The Azalea figures to bring together Distinta, Dogwood Trail, Fond of Sarah, Huasca, I’m a Looker, Joni Gail, Moment of Delight, R Sassy Lass, Sweet Swingin, and Warriorscmouttoplay.

Allowances share feature slot

Following three straight days without an allowance race on the card, there will be two to share top billing here Saturday, both optional claimers with purses of $40,000.

The first of the pair, going as the fourth race, will be contested at six furlongs for 3-year-olds, with Hear That Tune, coming off a pair of seconds against older horses, the one to beat for trainer Stanley Gold. Kaplan will counter with Yourdreamsormine, one of only two multiple winners in the lineup, along with Wicked Rascal. Recent maiden winner Sarlef also looms as a major player.

The afternoon’s ninth event is carded at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds and up and is wide open, with Racetrack Romance, Lost Camper, Proper Empire, and Whisper Onthe Wind the chief threats.