Mutin bound for sunshine, stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Mutin is headed to south Florida and likely a stakes race after winning Sunday’s featured allowance race at Aqueduct.

Making his first start since January, Mutin rallied from next-to-last under Irad Ortiz Jr. to win a third-level allowance race by three-quarters of a length over Sky Blazer.

It was the fifth win from nine starts for Mutin, but his first since May 2013.

Mutin, a son of Kentucky Dynamite, was making his first start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. He ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.48 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

“He ran huge, and Irad rode a great race,” McLaughlin said. “He came to the paddock and said, ‘Can we cover him up, European style?’ I said sure. It got a little tight on him turning for home, but he squeezed through there. Bright future, talented horse, neat horse to train. He does everything right.”

McLaughlin said Mutin would ship to south Florida and likely point for a stakes at Gulfstream, possibly the Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes on Jan. 12.