Mohaymen, Greenpointcrusader head six in Holy Bull
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – There were few surprises when entries were drawn Wednesday for the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, with Mohaymen and Greenpointcrusader topping a field of six 3-year-olds set to go 1 1/16 miles Saturday in the first of two key prep races leading up to the $1 million Florida Derby on April 2.
Mohaymen, generally considered the top Kentucky Derby prospect stabled on the East Coast following impressive wins in the Grade 2 Nashua and Grade 2 Remsen, has wowed trainer Kiaran McLaughlin while working up to the race since arriving at Palm Meadows this winter. Greenpointcrusader is the lone Grade 1 winner in the field, having dominated the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park before finishing seventh as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Trainer Dale Romans did opt at the last minute to hold Cherry Wine, an impressive allowance winner here this month, out of the Holy Bull, instead entering Perfect Saint, who was supplemented to the race. Romans said he will train Cherry Wine up to next month’s Fountain of Youth.
Like the Holy Bull, the Grade 2 Swale and its filly counterpart, the Forward Gal, will feature quality over quantity, with each luring only six entries.
The undefeated and untested Awesome Banner will top the Swale lineup, which also includes Cardio Cowboy, Noholdingbackbear, Ready Dancer, Richie the Bull, and Economic Model. The Forward Gal, also scheduled to be run at seven furlongs, lost some of its luster with the word that Lucy N Ethel, the winner of the Grade 3 Old Hat, would not run. The field consists of Cathryn Sophia, Island Saint, Ballet Diva, Conquest Babayaga, Disco Rose, and a late supplement, Dance Kiddo.
Ramon Preciado, who trains Lucy N Ethel but is serving a suspension for a medication violation in Delaware, said Lucy N Ethel sustained a small chip in her ankle coming out of the Old Hat that required surgery. She’ll be sidelined for 90 days.
“It wasn’t anything big, but she’s a nice filly, and we want to do the right thing by her, so she had the surgery, and if all goes well, we can have her back in training again in 90 days,” said Preciado.
