Things didn’t go exactly as trainer Nick Zito had planned for his top 3-year-old prospect Dialed In. But they turned out even better than he could have expected Sunday at Gulfstream Park after Dialed In rallied from far back to register an impressive 1 1/2-length victory over Sweet Ducky in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes.
Eclipse Award winner Uncle Mo took his first baby step on the road to the Kentucky Derby when he breezed an easy three furlongs in 39.80 seconds at Palm Meadows on Sunday.
The 3-year-old competition leading to the Kentucky Derby will begin in earnest Sunday with the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Prominent horse owner Mike Repole has expressed interest in buying a percentage of Major League Baseball’s New York Mets from the team’s current owners, Fred and Jeff Wilpon, who reportedly could face millions of dollars in losses related to the Bernard Madoff ponzi scheme.
Yankee Passion is likely headed to the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest at Oaklawn Park following his flashy seasonal debut win at the track on Thursday. He won a six-furlong allowance in a rapid 1:10.88 in his first start since August, and for the effort he earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 79.
Rogue Romance is among the top male 3-year-old prospects in Florida this winter, and Kathmanblu is one of the best 3-year-old fillies there, but both horses are likely to ship to Fair Grounds for their first dirt start of 2011, trainer Ken McPeek said.
There are three allowances on a 10-race Sunday card at Fair Grounds, but as far as Kentucky Derby watchers are concerned, only one that matters.
Trainer Todd Pletcher survived a major scare when a quarantine imposed Thursday morning on all three of his barns at Palm Meadows – where juvenile champion Uncle Mo is stabled – and the one he occupies at Gulfstream Park was lifted later that afternoon.
Trainer Rick Dutrow said that missing Sunday’s Grade 3 Holy Bull with likely favorite Boys At Tosconova was definitely a disappointment, but nothing that has him too concerned.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – For the most part, the Grade 3 Holy Bull has simply been regarded as the first step on the road to both the Florida Derby and ultimately Kentucky Derby for 3-year-olds stabled in south Florida each year. And while the one-mile Holy Bull remains the first of the local Derby preps, its status has dramatically changed due to a purse increase, up from $150,000 to $400,000 this winter, which basically turns the race into a win and you’re in event for the Kentucky Derby.
