Mo Town returns to Florida

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Tony Dutrow said Wednesday that Mo Town was scheduled to arrive at his Payson Park base from Fair Grounds later in the day and that he is withholding any judgment on the colt’s disappointing performance in the Risen Star last weekend.

“I want to give everyone a detailed catch-up on Monday after I’ve spent some time with him over the weekend,” said Dutrow. “But there are no red flags. I left him there Sunday in New Orleans, and everything was fine.”

Mo Town was among the top-rated contenders for the Kentucky Derby before he faded to fifth, beaten 10 1/4 lengths, as the 3-2 favorite in the Risen Star. Jockey John Velazquez said afterward he felt Mo Town was uncomfortable over the Fair Grounds racing surface.

◗ An 11-race Friday card at Gulfstream offers decidedly modest fare, with a $40,000 allowance sprint (race 3) that drew six Florida-breds being the only race not restricted to maidens or claimers. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern, with the last race set for 5:32. The Rainbow 6 (races 6-11) rollover jackpot into Thursday’s action stood at $79,451.