Gulfstream: Pletcher, Castellano take their places at the top of standings

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The 2015-16 Championship meet is only two days old, but the trainer and jockey standings already have a familiar look about them, with trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Javier Castellano quickly assuming command.

Pletcher opened the new meet by winning the early daily double on Saturday with the 2-year-olds Stradivari and Zulu, who each won a maiden race. Sunday, the Red Oak Stable homebred juvenile filly Daring Bride turned in one-sided victory for Pletcher in her debut.

Stradivari, a son of Medaglia d’Oro out of four-time graded stakes winner Bending Strings, cruised to an 11 1/4-length triumph going 1 1/16 miles making the second start of his career Saturday. Zulu, a half-brother to a pair of multiple stakes winners, had his hands full early with another first-time starter, Sharp Azteca, before edging away to a two-length victory in a maiden special weight dash at six furlongs.

Jockey John Velazquez also got his winter meet off to a big start, riding all three of Pletcher’s maiden winners this past weekend.

Pletcher said he was pleased with both Stradivari and Zulu.

“We were waiting for two turns with Stradivari and also thought he would benefit from his first race.” Pletcher said. “I thought he was very impressive. He finished up well and won pretty easily. Zulu indicated in his works that he was talented. We were hoping he’d run big right off the bat, and he did. I thought it was a promising debut.

Pletcher said he’s hoping they will go on to bigger and better things in the top 3-year-old races here this winter.

“We had a lean summer when it came to our 2-year-old colts and geldings,” said Pletcher. “I knew in June and July I wasn’t seeing that kind of Derby-type colt we’re always looking for. But we were high on these two, and have a couple of more that are training well, so hopefully we’re going to wind up with a few we can put on that trail this winter.”

Although he lost some of his best older handicap horses through retirement, most notably Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map, Pletcher still figures to be strong in the division this meet. On Saturday, Pletcher will send out Madefromlucky in the $100,000 Harlan’s Holiday as a possible prep for the Grade 1 Donn Handicap on Feb. 6. He’s also pointing Mshawish for the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope on Jan. 9. Pletcher also nominated Tommy Macho, Anchor Down, Catron, and Mylute for the Harlan’s Holiday.

Mshawish closed out his 2015 campaign with fourth-place finishes in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland and Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.

“I thought Mshawish ran very well in the Cigar,” said Pletcher. “The only thing I was disappointed about was that at the eighth pole it looked like he was going to win and he kind of hung a bit. He’s trained well enough on dirt to merit another try, so we’ll point him for the Hal’s Hope, and that should clarify what direction we’ll go with him the rest of the winter.”

Castellano won four of the nine Claiming Crown races on opening day, including the main event, the Jewel, aboard Royal Posse for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. Castellano, who is seeking an unprecedented fifth straight local riding title, also won the Glass Slipper with Moonshine Promise, the Rapid Transit aboard Stallwalkin’ Dude, and the Iron Horse with Runs with Bulls.

“Gulfstream has been very good to me,” said Castellano, who took off all his mounts on Sunday’s program but will be in action again when racing resumes here Wednesday. “I feel at home here.”