Sibelius gets back on track, repeats in Mr. Prospector

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Sibelius successfully defended his title in the $125,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes and did so in style Saturday at Gulfstream Park, drawing off to a convincing and popular four-length victory over Gilmore in the Grade 3-dash for older horses.

Sibelius did not win the 2022 Mr. Prospector quite as convincingly but used his first graded stakes win to kick off a spectacular three race run for his connections, owners Jun Park and Delia Nash along with trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer, that concluded with a hard fought nose decision over Switzerland in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan three months later. Sibelius’ form did tail off after returning from Dubai, the son of Not This Time failing to hit the board in three subsequent starts prior to the Mr. Prospector.

Breaking from the extreme outside in a field of nine and with jockey Junior Alvarado back in the saddle following a two race absence, Sibelius broke alertly and prompted the pace of the seven furlong Mr. Prospector from the outset. He readily shook clear of Long Range Toddy midway on the turn then drew away with complete authority when sharply roused through the final furlong.

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Gilmore advanced outside rivals when commencing his rally on the turn, finishing willingly down the center of the track to be second best while never menacing the winner. Dreaming of Kona ran down the tiring Long Range Toddy to finish third.

Sibelius covered the distance over a fast track in 1:23.16 and returned $5.80.

“For him to go the half in :45 and finish up like he did was very impressive,” said O’Dwyer. “I didn’t think he’d be on the lead but he was so sharp and Junior knows the horse so well.”

O’Dwyer said he wasn’t concerned about the fact Sibelius’ form had not been quite as sharp over his last several starts.

“Dubai was his first Grade 1 and we kind of threw him into the deep end after that because your expectations are high, and maybe Dubai took a little more out of him than you’d think. It took him a little longer to recuperate,” said O’Dwyer. “But as you see today, I don’t think he’s lost a beat and this was a real relief. For the owners, for the horse and for me. I don’t get many horses of this caliber.”

O’Dwyer said in all likelihood he will keep Sibelius on the same path as last winter, pointing first for the Pelican at Tampa Bay Downs (six furlongs on Jan. 27) before heading back to Dubai to defend his championship in the Golden Shaheen.

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