Gulfstream: No firm plans for Consortium after Holy Bull flop

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reports that Consortium exited his sixth-place finish in Sunday’s Grade 3 Holy Bull in good order but is still scratching his head a bit over the highly regarded 3-year-old prospect’s poor performance. Consortium, with jockey John Velazquez aboard, was beaten nearly 21 lengths by Algorithms over a sloppy track in the one-mile Holy Bull.

“He’s fine so far but naturally it was very disappointing, especially since the winner of the race beat him by only a length over a fast track the first time,” McLaughlin said. “Johnny said he hated the track and the kick-back. I’m not sure where we’re going or what we’re doing next. So far we don’t have a plan.”

McLaughlin also noted that Soldat, winner of the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here last winter, is getting close to launching his comeback. Soldat has not started since finishing eleventh in the Kentucky Derby.

“He’s working weekly and working faster each time,” said McLaughlin. “If he continues on this pace we could begin looking to find a spot pretty soon. We’re not exactly sure what that might be although he will probably start back on the turf.”