Manhattan Dan stands out in Fisher Island Handicap

Manhattan Dan will take another step toward the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when he makes his second start of the year in the $60,000 Fisher Island Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Friday. The five-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds drew seven horses.

If Manhattan Man shows up with his usual stuff, the rest of the field is likely running for second money.

Trained by Gary Contessa, Manhattan Dan was coming off a three-month layoff when he easily won the $75,000 Texas Glitter on Feb. 27. With Javier Castellano aboard, Manhattan Dan set honest fractions and was never threatened before drawing off to win the five-furlong turf dash by 5 1/4 lengths.

Following the race, Contessa said Manhattan Dan exceeded his expectations and planned to point him toward the Commonwealth Cup for 3-year-olds going six furlongs on a straight course June 17.

The Texas Glitter was Manhattan Dan’s first race since he faded in back-to-back routes in graded races. At 45-1, he gave his backers a thrill when he held a two-length lead at the eighth pole in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland. However, he ended up finishing seventh in the 14-horse field. In his next start in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille at Del Mar, he bobbled at the start but recovered quickly. He led for about six furlongs before tiring to finish last.

He couldn’t have looked better when he returned to win the Texas Glitter and will be tough to handle with a race behind him.

Key Contenders

Manhattan Dan, by Big Brown

Last 3 Beyers: 89-46-72

◗ Hard to see him getting beat if he breaks alertly from post No. 4 with Elvis Trujillo aboard.

Kokomo Wildcat, by Wildcat Heir

◗ Trained by Larry Pilotti, this will be his first start since he finished second by a nose in a $75,000 optional-claiming race at Gulfstream on Dec. 12.

◗ He is by a decent turf sire, and it will be interesting to see how he handles grass the first time.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Pilotti has a 23 percent strike rate and a $3.36 ROI with horses coming back within 61 to 180 days. In the same period, he has won with 8 percent of his starters trying turf for the first time.

Seaside Schiller, by Artie Schiller

Last 3 Beyers: 69-62-70

◗ The 3-year-old filly trained by Michael Matz won both of her turf sprints but couldn’t keep up with Grade 3 winner Harmonize the only time she went a middle distance.

◗ She can fire fresh but will need to improve substantially in her first start as a 3-year-old to beat Manhattan Dan.