Gulfstream Park: Mucho Macho Man sharp in first work since Sunshine Millions victory

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It was back to serious work for Mucho Macho Man early Saturday morning, with the reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic winner breezing an easy half-mile over a very fast track in 46.91 seconds under regular exercise rider Nick Petro Jr. It was his first work since cruising to an easy-as-can-be victory in the Sunshine Millions Classic that was little more than a public workout three weeks earlier.

Mucho Macho Man came out on the track shortly after dawn, galloping nearly a mile the wrong way before standing quietly at the wire for several minutes with trainer Kathy Ritvo and stable agent Finn Green standing close by looking on. Mucho Macho Man began his breeze at the half-mile pole at a relatively leisurely pace, covering his opening eighth and quarter in 12.04 and 23.68. He then finished extremely well while kept several paths off the inside rail, responding to just a little mild coaxing nearing the wire to complete his final quarter in 23.23 before galloping out five furlongs in 59.50.

“I just wanted to give him a little maintenance breeze, and he did it very easily,” Ritvo said. “You could see he really wanted to do more.”

Ritvo and Green have not reached a final decision on where or when Mucho Macho Man will race next. Among the factors holding up that decision are the several offers Mucho Macho Man’s owners, Dean and Patti Reeves, have received for the horse since the Breeders’ Cup. The two most likely options for Mucho Macho Man’s next start would either be the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 8 or the $10 million Dubai World Cup three weeks later.

“A decision on a potential sale will be made within four of five days of his next work or in other words sometime within the next week to ten days,” said Green. “We are equally as excited about both races and they remain our two options whether there is a sale or not.”