Gulfstream Park notes: Schettino thinking Derby trail with Always in a Tiz

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Dominick Schettino said he’s considering the options for his top 3-year-old prospect Always in a Tiz, a son of Tiznow who was stakes placed in his most recent start earlier this month at Aqueduct. Always in a Tiz is nominated to the Gulfstream Park Derby but is not likely to run, according to Schettino.

“We’re still discussing what we want to do with him, but at the moment our thoughts are to look at the graded stakes coming up and try to put him on the Derby trail,” said Schettino.

Schettino will be in stakes action on Tuesday with another of his promising young horses, Mariel N Kathy, who will make her 3-year-old bow in the $75,000 Ginger Brew on the turf. Mariel N Kathy won an overnight stakes over the Belmont grass course during the fall. She worked a half-mile in 49.54 over the main track here Thursday.

“She finished third in her last start and the rider said she didn’t handle the turf course that well that day,” said Schettino. “She’s gotten better once we started rating her behind horses. We just wanted a nice, easy maintenance work today. She’s seemed to have acclimated well since getting down here. I don’t know who’s going to show up in that stakes, but it looks like a good spot to start the year.”

Black Onyx eyes allowance

Black Onyx, an impressive maiden winner at Aqueduct in his 3-year-old finale and another nominee for the Gulfstream Park Derby, also worked here Thursday, going four furlongs in 49.11 with jockey Luis Saez aboard. Trainer Carl Domino said he is leaning against running in the Gulfstream Derby in lieu of a two-turn allowance race in the condition book the same afternoon.

Ocala Stakes attracts six

Sunday’s $100,000 Ocala Stakes drew only a half-dozen fillies and mares to go a mile on the turf. Two of the six, Speak Easy Gal and Golden Mystery, come from the barn of trainer Marty Wolfson. The remainder of the field comprises Callmethesqueeze, My Pal Chrisy, Successful Song, and Tale of Peace. Five of the six horses are based at Calder.

Rice gets first win of meet

Double the Energy ran down the 2-5 Madame Giry to upset Thursday’s main event going five furlongs on the turf. Joe Rocco Jr. rode the winner for trainer Linda Rice, who registered her first win of the meet. Madame Giry entered the $65,000 allowance dash riding a five-race winning streak.