Holy Bull expected to attract Sittin On Go, Mutasaabeq

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Points races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks are the highlights of the coming weekend at Gulfstream, with the Holy Bull and Forward Gal anchoring a busy Saturday program spotlighting 3-year-olds.

Sittin On Go, winner of the Grade 3 Iroquois on the 2020 Kentucky Derby undercard, will make his seasonal debut in the Grade 3, $200,000 Holy Bull, a 1 1/16-mile race offering Derby points on a 10-4-2-1 basis. The Brody’s Cause colt had his fifth breeze since a short layoff, going five furlongs here Saturday in 1:01.

“He’s ready,” trainer Dale Romans said. “Hopefully, this starts our road to the Derby with him.”

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Mutasaabeq, a Shadwell Stable colt trained by Todd Pletcher, figures as the favorite in the Holy Bull, which is expected to get a field of about eight.

Pletcher and Shadwell also could have the favorite in Zaajel in the $100,000 Forward Gal, a 10-4-2-1 Oaks qualifier. Zaajel won her only start by seven lengths Dec. 20 at Gulfstream. Other notable prospects include Competitive Speed and Three Tipsy Chix.

The Forward Gal leads to the Feb. 27 Davona Dale, which is expected to get the one-two finishers in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Vequist and Dayoutoftheoffice. Vequist has breezed twice at the Palm Meadows training center since returning from a short break for trainer Butch Reid.

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Girl Daddy, third in the BC Juvenile Fillies, is unlikely to make the Davona Dale, Romans said.

“This weekend she’ll probably have her first breeze back,” he said.

Three other Grade 3, $100,000 stakes also will be run Saturday. They are the Swale, the open counterpart to the Forward Gal, and twin turf miles the Kitten’s Joy and Sweetest Chant.