Safe Conduct works strongly for Tropical Park Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The first time Safe Conduct ever stepped on a synthetic racetrack, he liked it so much he went out and won the $1 million Queen’s Plate on Aug. 22 at Woodbine. The second time came late Monday morning at Gulfstream Park, where Safe Conduct worked an easy five furlongs in 1:00.72 with exercise rider Lisa Bartkowski aboard.

The work was the first for Safe Conduct since his second-place finish behind Never Surprised on the turf in the Gio Ponti Stakes on Nov. 26 at Aqueduct. He is prepping for the Tropical Park Derby on turf here Dec. 26.

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Trainer Phil Serpe said the work Monday was probably Safe Conduct’s best since he worked on the turf at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track before he won the Queen’s Plate.

“We weren’t looking to push him today, and I thought the work went well,” Serpe said. “He looked good at the wire, had nice extension. He’s never had any eye-popping works on dirt.

“He’ll do something a little more serious next week. He definitely doesn’t seem to like any give in the ground. It remains to be seen how good he is on firm ground. That’s something we still need to find out when he gets his last chance with 3-year-olds in the Tropical Park Derby.”

Good-looking Pletcher juveniles

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out the very promising 2-year-olds Dean’s List and Emmanuel to win their career debuts in impressive fashion Saturday. Dean’s List cruised to a 5 1/2-length victory going six furlongs, while Emmanuel won by 6 1/4 lengths at a mile about 90 minutes later. Dean’s List received an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. Emmanuel, who likely could have gone faster if necessary, got a 78.

“They had been workmates the last few times and they both trained like quality horses,” Pletcher said. “We obviously didn’t want to run them against one another and felt Emmanuel was better suited to the mile first time out. Glad it worked out.”

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Both Dean’s List and Emmanuel were ridden to victory by Luis Saez, who also guided Officiating to an upset victory in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector later on the card.

Dwoskin honored by Florida HBPA

The Florida HBPA held its annual awards dinner Saturday night, honoring top local horses in eight categories while also presenting trainer Steve Dwoskin with the organization’s first “Person of Distinction” honor.

“We changed the award this year to honor one of our owners or trainers, not just for their accomplishments on the racetrack but also for their contribution to the community,” FHBPA president Stephen Screnci said. “And we couldn’t have found a worthier candidate for the award than Steve Dwoskin.”

Dwoskin, who has made generous donations to local health-care initiatives for many years, also is the owner and trainer of Choose Joy, named by the FHBPA as the top local older filly or mare of 2021.

Others recognized for their local accomplishments this year include Octane, 2-year-old male; Outfoxed, 2-year-old filly; Papetu, 3-year-old male; Con Lima, 3-year-old filly; Miles Ahead, older horse; Warrior’s Pride, older turf horse; and Shifty She, filly or mare turf.