Streaking Uncle B faces solid field in Miesque's Approval

Two $75,000 turf stakes share the spotlight at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, and each has a horse seeking a fourth victory in a row.

First up in race 9 is the Miesque’s Approval, in which Uncle B will try to keep his winning streak intact in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, which drew eight horses.

Uncle B has improved dramatically in his last three starts, all on turf for trainer Lilli Kurtinecz. Acting on behalf of David Caprio, she claimed the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding for $16,000 on Jan.13. Caprio received a quick return on his investment when Uncle B won a $16,000 claiming race for nonwinners of three at Gulfstream Feb. 24. The son of Zensational came right back to win a $30,000 starter with a $16,000 claiming option March 21. The 91 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his 2 1/2-length victory was at the time a career-best 91. He proved it was no fluke when he received a 92 Beyer for his win in a $25,000 starter with a $16,000 claiming option April 14.

Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Uncle B to his first two wins in the streak, with Tyler Gaffallione taking over to complete the hat track.

Uncle B has tactical speed and should be in the mix early after breaking from post 5 with Luca Panici aboard for the first time.

Grade 3 winner Fast and Accurate, trained by Michael Maker, is coming off a third-place finish on Polytrack in the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park on March 17. He won the $75,000 Showing Up Stakes at Gulfstream on Nov. 4, and the last time he ran at Gulfstream he was third behind Conquest Sandman in the $60,000 Old Man Eloquent, which had $35,000 starter conditions.

Fast and Accurate drew the rail. He is rematched Saturday with Conquest Sandman, who breaks directly to his right.

Durocher won the $75,000 Tropical Park Derby on Dec. 30 before finding Grade 3 company going 1 1/2 miles too tough in the W. L. McKnight Handicap on Jan. 27.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Hieroglyphics, who will be ridden by Gaffalione, is looking for his first win since he was victorious in the restricted $100,000 Better Talk Now at Saratoga on Aug. 28.

Powder Break draws 11

The one-mile Powder Break drew 11 fillies and mares including Madame Uno, who is trained by David Fawkes and won all four of her starts in Florida. Her latest win came March 25 at Tampa Bay Downs in the $100,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf for Florida-breds.

The 4-year-old daughter of First Dude began her career with a win for Fawkes in a $50,000 maiden claimer at Gulfstream on March 17 last year. Her next six starts were in New York, where her best results were a couple of runner-up finishes in $50,000 starter races for trainer Phillip Serpe.

In her first start after being reunited with Fawkes, Madame Uno won a $50,000 starter race at Gulfstream with Javier Castellano riding Jan. 28. Castellano was aboard when she romped by 8 3/4 lengths going 1 1/16 miles on turf in a first-level $16,000 optional-claiming race March 7. Castellano kept the faith when she ran in the Distaff Turf, and he was rewarded with a front-running victory in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Madame Uno drew post 6 with Jose Batista picking up the mount. She has speed, but can stalk, and will either be on the lead or sitting just off Conquest Hardcandy, who will break from post 2 with Edgard Zayas riding.

Silver Step will make her first start in North America. Now trained by Christophe Clement, she won a Group 3 going a mile on turf in Italy in 2016. Last year her lone win came going 1 1/4 miles in a minor stakes race in France.

The field for the Powder Break is deep, with eight stakes winners, including King’s Ghost, who is coming off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Marshua’s River for trainer Martin Wolfson on Jan. 13. She will make her first start for trainer Danny Gargan on Saturday.