Sir Winston will try to rebound in Jazil Stakes at Aqueduct

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Sir Winston won’t be pointed for the Pegasus World Cup but instead will run the same day in the $100,000 Jazil at Aqueduct with the goal of possibly racing afterward in the March 28 Dubai World Cup, said trainer Mark Casse.

Sir Winston had an inauspicious return to action last Saturday, trailing from start to finish in a field of 12 in the Woodchopper, which was run as a two-turn mile over yielding turf at Fair Grounds. The Woodchopper marked the first start for the Awesome Again colt since he upset the June 8 Belmont Stakes and was only his second on turf from 11 overall starts. He finished 9 3/4 lengths behind the winner, Tracksmith.

“It’s hard to know what to make of the race, considering the surface and everything,” said Casse. “We’ll regroup and set our sights a little lower and get him back on the dirt in the Jazil,” which goes at 1 1/8 miles.

Meanwhile, Casse said the seven-furlong Swale Stakes on Feb. 1 at Gulfstream is his target for Untitled, the newly turned 3-year-old colt who recently came into his care following a private purchase. Gary Barber is the new majority owner of Untitled, a Khozan colt who earned an eye-catching 98 Beyer Speed Figure in an 11-length triumph in his Dec. 14 career debut at Gulfstream Park. Mike Sebastian remains in as a minority ownership partner.

Big Saturday on tap

Another very busy Saturday is on tap at Gulfstream as five stakes, all for 3-year-olds, will anchor an 11-race card that starts at noon Eastern.

Chance It and South Bend are the likely favorites in what should be a revealing renewal of the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man, a one-mile race that’s a traditional stepping-stone toward the Feb. 1 Holy Bull. Both colts are three-time winners, with the Florida-bred Chance It set to make his first start in open company and South Bend looking to rebound off his first career defeat in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The other Saturday stakes are the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy and $100,000 Ginger Brew for fillies, both at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf, and a pair of $75,000 sprints, the Limehouse and Glitter Woman for fillies. The only graded race of the five stakes is the Kitten’s Joy, a Grade 3.

Turf sprinters in spotlight

The only open allowance on a 10-race Friday card will showcase filly and mare turf sprinters, with all but two of the eight entrants coming off a victory in their most recent start. It’s a $51,000, first-level, five-furlong dash that goes as race 9 and most likely will stay on the grass, given a sunny weather forecast, meaning Flashing Diamond would have to scratch as the lone main track-only designate.

Dreams Are Made, a late-running gray filly making her first start since being transferred into Casse’s care, figures among the favorites, especially with Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the call. Other top considerations include Miss Miami, in off three straight wins, and Awsum Roar, a winner of eight of 18 lifetime starts.

The nominal feature is part of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (races 5-10), which had a carryover jackpot of more than $1.2 million when a five-day week began here Wednesday. First post is 12:25 p.m. Eastern.

◗ Harryhee, a speedy 8-year-old ridgling with a sizable local following, underwent emergency colic surgery early this week in Ocala, forcing trainer Brett “Flaco” McLellan to scratch him from the eighth race Wednesday. Harryhee has been first or second in 20 of his 38 races over the Gulfstream main track among 55 overall starts.