Simmstown comes off long layoff in Mr. Prospector

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – He hasn’t started in almost a year, and six furlongs may not be his optimal distance, but trainer Marty Wolfson is still confident that Simmstown can conclude his brief 2014 campaign with a victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park.

Simmstown has been idle since finishing eighth behind Lea in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope here Jan. 11. He had captured three of his four previous starts, including the 6 1/2-furlong Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap at Calder in his 2013 finale.

“He’s doing really well,” Wolfson said. “At 6 1/2 [furlongs], I’d really like him. Six is a little short for him, but he’s really fresh, really sharp right now, and drawing the outside post was perfect.”

Simmstown also was entered in a seven-furlong optional-claiming race Friday, but Wolfson said he definitely will scratch in lieu of the Mr. Prospector.

“I thought the race Friday was just as tough, and I was able to get Irad [Ortiz Jr.] to ride him in the Mr. Prospector, which meant a lot,” Wolfson said.

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Simmstown should be able to sit a good trip off what figures to be a very honest pace considering the makeup of the Mr. Prospector field. Among those expected to challenge for the early lead are Speechify, the 119-pound highweight under the conditions of the race; Mongolian Saturday; and Risk Factor.

Speechify followed in Simmstown’s footsteps by winning the 2014 Kenny Noe Jr. in impressive fashion, drawing off to a 3 3/4-length decision over Grande Shores, who flattered the effort with his victory in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit here on opening day.

Four of Speechify’s seven victims in the Kenny Noe return in the Mr. Prospector, including defending race winner Singanothersong. The others are Mongolian Saturday, Risk Factor, and Little Daddy.

Singanothersong edged away to a 1 3/4-length decision over Fort Loudon in the 2013 Mr. Prospector but is winless in three subsequent starts.

Both Mongolian Saturday and Risk Factor contested the early pace over what was a speed-favoring strip that afternoon at Gulfstream Park West before tiring to finish third and fourth behind Speechify.

Little Daddy was shuffled back to last along the inside during the early stages of the Kenny Noe to lose his best chance. He was returning on just nine days’ rest off a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure earned for an easy optional-claiming win. Little Daddy also was entered in Friday’s optional-claiming feature but, like Simmstown, was expected to scratch for the Mr. Prospector.

Master Blender brings a three-race win streak into his stakes debut but will get a real class check Saturday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Simmstown (Last 3 Beyers: 86-99-93)

◗ He improved dramatically, having won 3 of 7 starts since being purchased privately and turned over to Wolfson prior to the start of his 2013 campaign.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Wolfson has a 16 percent success rate, with a $1.41 return on investment, with horses returning from layoffs of six months or longer.

Speechify (Last 3 Beyers: 97-81-86)

◗ He did benefit from a speed-favoring strip while registering a career-best 97 Beyer in the Kenny Noe.

◗ He has been beaten just once, by eventual graded stakes winner Happy My Way, in four career starts at six furlongs.

Singanothersong (Last 3 Beyers: 72-76-88)

◗ He returns to his favorite course off a dull showing in the Kenny Noe, having posted each of his last three victories over the Gulfstream Park strip.

Little Daddy (Last 3 Beyers: 77-96-72)

◗ He showed sharp speed here Tuesday, shading 23 seconds for his opening quarter and blowing out a bullet half-mile in 46.68.