Salutos Amigos sharp in Mr. Prospector comeback

Salutos Amigos came back sharp in his first race since the Golden Shaheen at Meydan on March 28, cruising to an eye-catching victory in the $75,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Trainer David Jacobson was on hand for the race and Cornelio Velasquez came down from New York for the mount. Earlier this week, Jacobson said if Salutos Amigos performed well in the Mr. Prospector and came out of the race well, he would be flown to Florida on Tuesday and run in the Grade 2, $250,000 Smile Sprint Handicap at Gulfstream Park next Sunday.

“We wanted to bring him back in an easy spot to make sure all of the joints are lubed,” Jacobson said after the Mr. Prospector. “We might put him on the plane to Florida. We’ll keep a good eye on him for the next 24 hours and let him tell us what to do.”

Uptown Boy, the longest price in the field at 20-1, sprinted off to a clear early lead when the gates opened for the six-furlong Mr. Prospector. He sped through fractions of 22.03 and 44.36 seconds over the sealed sloppy track but could offer little resistance when Salutos Amigos ran by in upper stretch.

After five furlongs in 56.56, Salutos Amigos drew off to win by 3 1/4 lengths, stopping the timer in 1:08.58. Velasquez had him under a moderate hand ride in the stretch.

“He’s been rested well,” Jacobson said. “We’re ready to start a long, successful summer campaign that we hope will continue into the fall to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Salutos Amigos finished eighth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths in the Golden Shaheen. Jacobson said he came down with a throat irritation and a cough after arriving in Dubai. Prior to his overseas trip, Salutos Amigos had won five of his previous six starts. The loss came in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. All of the wins came in New York stakes.

Salutos Amigos paid $3.40 to win in the Mr. Prospector. Uptown Boy held second by 4 1/4 lengths over third-place Happy My Way. Purple Egg was fourth, while 5-2 second choice Rainbow Heir tired to fifth, 2 1/4 lengths farther back.