Mutazen an old horse learning a new trick

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It’s not uncommon for a trainer to try a 3-year-old turf specialist on dirt at this time of year, looking for lightning to strike ahead of the Triple Crown. It is more unusual to see that same move made with older horses, especially a 5-year-old gelding such as Mutazen, who will try dirt for the first time in his ninth career start Wednesday at Gulfstream Park.

Mutazen will be among the favorites in a $48,000 first-level optional-claiming race at 1 1/16 miles. The race is one of two allowances on a 10-race program that features a carryover of nearly $866,000 in the Rainbow 6.

Mutazen began his career in Ireland, where he was winless in five starts on turf and one on a synthetic track. He has shown marked improvement since being transferred to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s barn late last season, finishing third off a 15-month hiatus here Dec. 26 before winning his maiden by 3 1/2 widening lengths over the local turf course Feb. 2.

McLaughlin said one reason he decided to try Mutazen on dirt is the success on the surface enjoyed by other runners sired by Candy Ride.

“And this horse trains so well on the dirt, we thought we should try it while we’re here,” he said. “We also just ran a couple of other horses in the one-other-than allowance race on the turf, so we wanted to keep them apart as best we could.”

Mutazen, who drew the advantageous inside post, will face just five rivals, including Kismet’s Heels, who has run well since being switched to dirt last fall, and Sail Ahoy, who is returning to the main track after a couple of unsuccessful outings on grass.

Kismet’s Heels also began his career on turf, winning his maiden impressively last October at Keeneland in his first start for trainer Mark Casse. All three subsequent starts have been over the main track, where he’s finished second twice and most recently a troubled third under similar allowance conditions after breaking from a tough post here Feb. 5.

Sail Ahoy, graded-stakes-placed at 2 on dirt, is winless in his last seven starts dating to September 2015. He ran eighth while making his 2017 debut on grass here two months ago.

Face of Winner, Maritime Pulpit, and Top of the Page, each of whom has multiple victories, complete the field.

Key Contenders

Mutazen, by Candy Ride

Beyers: 81-82

◗ He is a full brother to Wynning Ride, who was Grade 1-placed and won a stakes on dirt for trainer Bob Baffert.

Kismet’s Heels, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 84-87-90

◗ He finished a distant second behind the Dubai World Cup-bound Neolithic under similar conditions here on dirt in his 3-year-old finale in December.