Hot debut winners head Hutcheson lineup
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla - Saturday's seven-furlong Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park drew a competitive field of 10 topped by sensational debut winners Travelin Man and Flashpoint, along with Crossbow and Madman Diaries.
The remainder of the field includes Razmataz, Little Drama, Leave of Absence, Black N Beauty, Manicero, and Royal Currier.
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Travelin Man earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure for his 7 1/4-length victory here on Jan. 6. Flashpoint received a more modest Beyer Figure of 91 after beating maiden special weight opposition by 6 1/4 lengths in his only previous start at Aqueduct nine days later.
Pomeroys Pistol and Dancinginherdreams, who finished first and second in the seven-furlong Forward Gal on Jan. 30, will renew acquaintances while breaking from the extreme outside in post positions 8 and 9, respectively, in the one-mile Davona Dale. Dominguez will replace the injured Paco Lopez aboard Pomeroys Pistol.
The Davona Dale lineup on Saturday also includes the undefeated but promising Oh Carole and R Heat Lightning, runner-up to Eclipse champion Awesome Feather in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies but a disappointing fourth in the Forward Gal.
Saturday’s third race, a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles, could produce one or more potential starters for the Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 3. The seven-horse field is headed by recent maiden winners Nacho Business, Arch Traveler, and Hothersal, along with the stakes-placed Private Prize and Washington’s Rules, who wheels back in two weeks off a disappointing effort behind Brethren in Tampa Bay Downs’ Grade 3 Sam Davis.
Big Drama not being pressed
Trainer David Fawkes reports that he backed off his Eclipse Award winning sprinter Big Drama since his record-setting 2011 debut in the Mr. Prospector here on Jan. 15. Big Drama established a new six-furlong track record of 1:08.12 when defeating defending champion Custom for Carlos in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector.
“He ran very fast in his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup, and we just wanted to give him adequate time to recuperate from the race,” explained Fawkes. “Our goal again this year is to get him to the Breeders’ Cup and not over-race him this season. He’s been shed-rowing recently and could go back to the track again some time next week.”
Fawkes said Big Drama would definitely not race here again this winter.
“The first possible race back for him could be the Carter if everything goes well,” said Fawkes, referring to Aqueduct’s Grade 1 Carter Handicap at seven furlongs on April 9.