Gulfstream: Where's Sterling sharpens for Donn Handicap

Add Where’s Sterling to the already prominent list of names expected to run in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 11.

Where’s Sterling passed his final major test in preparation for the Donn with flying colors here Wednesday morning after working seven furlongs from the gate in 1:25.83 under jockey Paco Lopez. Going in company with stablemate La Malandrina, Where’s Sterling posted splits of 24.90 seconds, 49.20, and 1:01.30 for the first five furlongs while about a length behind his partner before pouring it on once straightening away into the stretch, completing six furlongs in 1:13.76 and galloping out a mile in a strong 1:39.19.

Where’s Sterling has started once at the meet, finishing second, a length behind Boys At Tosconova under allowance conditions on Dec. 23. Where’s Sterling registered his most notable victory last summer in Monmouth Park’s Grade 3 Iselin. He was also second in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup.

“That was an especially good move for him this morning because he’s not much of a work horse,” said Nick Canani, who trains Where’s Sterling for owner Frank Calabrese. “Right now the plan is to go to the Donn. I didn’t have him cranked up for his last start, I just wanted to get him a race over the track and the timing was perfect. But if he’d broken sharper he’d have been closer and might have won.”

The Donn is definitely shaping up as the best race of the season. Where’s Sterling will join a field that is already expected to include two of last year’s three Triple Crown winners, Shackleford and Ruler On Ice, along with trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.’s pair of Trickmeister and Redeemed.

Tiz the Argument sharpens for Distaff

Dutrow will be busy both locally and in New York over the next several days. He will send out Boys At Tosconova here as the favorite in Friday’s feature, Tiz The Argument in Saturday’s Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff, and I Want Revenge at Aqueduct on Saturday in the Evening Attire Stakes.

Tiz The Argument blew out an easy but sharp half-mile in 47.20 here Wednesday for the Sunshine Millions Distaff.

“The filly’s doing good,” said Dutrow. “She’s been doing good for a long time. When she went by me this morning it didn’t look like she was under any pressure. It was a nice blow-out.”

Dutrow also worked Believe In A.P. five eighths in 1:00.61 under exercise rider Michelle Nevin. Believe In A.P., fourth in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, has not started since late July.

“She’s about ready to go. We’ve been waiting to find her a race,” said Dutrow. “She’ll come back in an ‘a other than’ allowance race. We’re not in any hurry with any of our good horses. It’s a long year. We have plenty of time to knock out some Grade 1’s. I just hope I’ll be around for it.”