Swale, Forward Gal lure talented casts

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Swale and Forward Gal aren’t designated preps toward the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, but that’s not to say they can’t lead in that direction.

Horsemen thinking ahead to the first weekend in May will send out the leading contenders in each of those seven-furlong races, which precede the Holy Bull on another busy Saturday at Gulfstream Park – and it’s reasonable to assume the winners will be asked to stretch out in their next start in trying to get another step closer to Churchill Downs.

Both the Swale and Forward Gal are Grade 3 races with $150,000 purses.

Swale (race 9)

“You’re always thinking about the Derby, right?” asked Mark Casse, trainer of Untitled. “Right now, though, we’re concentrating on one thing, and that’s the Swale.”

Untitled is the X-factor in a field of eight 3-year-old colts in the 34th running of the Swale. Gary Barber purchased majority interest in the Florida-bred son of Khozan after he earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure in winning his career debut for his previous trainer, Ralph Nicks.

“The colt probably didn’t learn a whole lot first out, getting clear as quickly as he did,” said Casse. “So we’ve tried to set him behind other horses in his training, get dirt in his face, all that stuff. This will be a very good test to see just where we are with him.”

Jose Ortiz will be aboard Untitled when they break from post 2.

Untitled figures to contend for favoritism with Green Light Go (post 4, Javier Castellano), who like Holy Bull favorite Tiz the Law bypassed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile following the Champagne at Belmont Park in October. Green Light Go was second to Tiz the Law in the Champagne after winning his first two starts, including the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in August.

“He got some time off at Adena Springs in Ocala and came back to me in really good shape,” said Jimmy Jerkens, trainer of Green Light Go, a Stronach Stables homebred. “We were debating on whether to come back in this or the Holy Bull. We weren’t really expecting him to be on the lead in the Champagne, and it kind of set us back in our planning. Maybe if he’d run more of an even race, things would’ve been a little different.

“Everything we do from this point out depends on this race. He’s a big, good-looking horse, but he doesn’t carry much excess flesh. He comes to hand pretty quickly.”

Green Light Go will be the only Swale starter not treated with the bleeder medication Lasix. “It’s been pretty standard for the Adena horses to start off without Lasix, and so far there’s been no need,” said Jerkens.

Besides the two favorites, the other Swale starters are Mischevious Alex, Flash Pass, Shivaree, Necker Island, Inter Miami, and Point Winner.

Easy Goer (1989) and Favorite Trick (1998) are the most accomplished winners of the Swale, which was first run in 1985, the year after the race’s namesake won the Derby and Belmont.

Forward Gal (race 6)

Tonalist’s Shape, unbeaten in three starts, will be trying graded company for the first time when she faces five other 3-year-old fillies in the 39th Forward Gal, the first of five stakes on the day.

“She’s going to get better as she goes longer,” said Saffie Joseph Jr., whose 20 wins through the first two months of the 2019-20 championship meet has him in contention for leading trainer. “We’re hoping this sets her up for the rest of the series here, hopefully the Davona Dale and Gulfstream Oaks and then on to the Kentucky Oaks.”

Tonalist’s Shape, with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding from post 6, has not raced since winning the Hut Hut on opening weekend of the meet. The chestnut daughter of Tonalist has been sent through five works in the interim.

“I think everything’s in place for her to run a big race,” said Joseph.

Probably the opponent with the most upside is Street of Dreams (post 4, Chris Landeros), who defeated a good field of maidens on closing weekend of the Churchill fall meet.

“We want to see if she’s good enough to take us to the Oaks,” said trainer Ian Wilkes. “I’ve been very pleased with her. I thought her last work was very good, and I don’t see any reason not to run her.

“She’s a very talented filly. It’s not do-or-die and you have to win, but I expect her to run good. She’s talented, and that helps.”

Rounding out the Forward Gal lineup are New Day Dawning, Fujairah, Compensate, and a first-time starter, Nikki and Papa.