Mr. Jordan vs. Competitive Edge in Tamarac Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Mr. Jordan and Competitive Edge were two of the fastest 2-year-olds in the country last season, both undefeated and relatively untested before being sidelined with injuries. But something will have to give when they launch their 3-year-old campaigns in Friday’s $60,000 Tamarac, an overnight stakes carded at seven furlongs.

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. said that Mr. Jordan came around more quickly than he’d expected after having his Kentucky Derby dreams shattered due to a spur in the back of his knee that was rubbing on his suspensory and required minor surgery. Mr. Jordan, a son of Kantharos, was perfect in three starts at 2, winning those races by a combined margin of almost 14 lengths. He earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure in his 2-year-old finale, drawing away to a 4 1/2-triumph in the one-mile Smooth Air Stakes at Gulfstream Park West.

“He came back from the surgery in great shape, kept his fitness, has shown his enthusiasm since his first work, and has just kept getting better and better,” Plesa said. “He’s a pretty neat horse because he works at a high rate, but when he gallops in the morning, he relaxes and does everything you want. The bottom line is he’s ready.”

Plesa said he was originally targeting a seven-furlong stakes for Florida-bred 3-year-olds at Tampa Bay Downs on April 4 for Mr. Jordan’s return.

“Tampa was my first plan, but then this race came up, and like I said, he’s ready,” Plesa said. “I just never anticipated it coming up as tough as it did, with Competitive Edge in there. [Competitive Edge] is a class horse, but I’m not looking at this race as a prep for his next one. I don’t expect my horse to do anything other than win.”

Plesa said there’s still an outside chance of getting Mr. Jordan to the Preakness Stakes if all goes well starting Friday.

“Obviously, he’s got no chance to run in the Derby, which is a tremendous disappointment for me, like it would be for anyone else in the world,” said Plesa. “I’ve thought all along the sky is the limit with this horse, and I still do. If he comes out of this race well, we could look for something like the Illinois Derby next. That would fit if we’re still considering the Preakness at that point.”

Plesa was hopeful that he could be in attendance when Mr. Jordan returns Friday. He was scheduled to have surgery Monday to repair nerve damage in his back.

“Last summer at Monmouth Park, when I’d walk any real distance, my feet would get numb,” said Plesa. “I was given an epidural, and it worked well for about four months, but once it wore off, I had the same problem again. I was given several options, and the best one seemed to be arthroscopic surgery. Hopefully, I’ll be able to make it there Friday, but if not, you can bet I’ll be well represented.”