Rock Fall tries to pick up where he left off
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The seemingly endless parade of talent emanating from the Todd Pletcher stable includes a Stonestreet Stables colt named Rock Fall, whose return from a nine-month-plus layoff highlights a 12-race Sunday program at Gulfstream Park.
Rock Fall, a 4-year-old by Speightstown, won back-to-back races at Belmont Park last spring to stamp himself as a potential stakes horse. He figures as a solid favorite when he breaks from the outside post in the 11th race Sunday, the last of three allowances on a card that starts at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Following a 3 1/4-length victory during the week of the Belmont Stakes, Rock Fall remained in training, posting five workouts in New York, before he incurred a minor setback and was sent to Stonestreet’s training and rehabilitation facility near Ocala, Fla. He has had 10 workouts since late November – five at Stonestreet and five at Pletcher’s winter base at Palm Beach Downs – and brings a substantial edge in Beyer Speed Figures to his comeback race, a $50,000, second-level allowance at six furlongs.
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Eight other older horses are set to oppose Rock Fall, who has leading jockey Javier Castellano named to ride. Castellano was to ride in Saudi Arabia on Saturday and is scheduled to be back in time to ride the last five races here Sunday.
The two earlier allowances, races 8 and 9, are first-level races with $48,000 purses.
After Sunday, Gulfstream will go dark for just one day before a six-day race week commences Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day. Racing is being held on what is normally a dark day to make up for a program lost March 4 to the Fasig-Tipton sale being held on racetrack grounds.
KEY CONTENDERS
Rock Fall (Last 3 Beyers: 95-104-43)
◗ An outer post can afford him a perfect stalking trip as he tries to replicate those gaudy Beyers that made him such an exciting prospect as a developing 3-year-old last spring.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Rock Fall. Trainer Todd Pletcher is 15-7-2-1 with a $2.34 ROI over the past five years at Gulfstream Park with last-out winners returning from a layoff of 180 days or more. He’s 7-5-1-0 with a $3.08 ROI when they return in dirt sprints. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Gambler’s Ghost (Last 3 Beyers: 76-83-50)
◗ He’s another one returning from a layoff, having been away since faltering as the favorite in a tough second-level allowance in early November at Churchill Downs. He shows a nice series of preps at Palm Meadows for trainer Eddie Kenneally.
City of Weston (Last 3 Beyers: 81-89-93)
◗ Scratched from two races recently to await this spot, this earner of more than $485,000 is one of three in here (with Saucy Don and Googleado) entered for a $62,500 claiming option.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 City of Weston. Trainer Antonio Sano is 43-10-6-6 with a $5.23 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints with Paco Lopez aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Pomeroy’s Package (Last 3 Beyers: 88-95-63)
◗ Suddenly surging Florida-bred is gunning for a third straight win for trainer Jane Cibelli, whose runners had been first or second in 33 of their first 75 starts at this meet.