Gulfstream Park: No set plans for Lochte

Trainer Marcus Vitali said Lochte came out of his victory in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap last weekend in good shape and that he and owner Carolyn Vogel are looking for a suitable race for their new stable star.

Lochte, a stunning 2 3/4-length winner at 39-1, was purchased for $60,000 at auction last October at Saratoga by Vogel’s Crossed Sabres Farm. Lochte, 4, was still a maiden after five tries but now has won three times in five starts for Vitali, a 52-year-old Rhode Island native who had never won a graded race in 25 years of training before this one.

“There have been a few offers to buy the horse, but I’m not really involved in that,” Vitali said.

Vitali said he and Vogel, who lives in New Hampshire, are considering the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap on March 8 for Valid, a two-time winner since they purchased him from the same Saratoga sale. Valid has earned several high Beyer Speed Figures in five starts for his new connections, including a 106 in a 23-length allowance score at Gulfstream in November.