Swale a starting point for Three Rules

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – There will be ample time and opportunity for Three Rules to take another shot at the big boys in the 3-year-old division.

For now, however, trainer Jose Pinchin just wants to get a solid race into the standout Florida-bred. A typical effort makes Three Rules the most likely winner of the Grade 2, $200,000 Swale Stakes on Saturday at his home track, Gulfstream Park. After that, well, he can get all he wants in the March 4 Fountain of Youth.

“He has matured so much,” said Pinchin. “He’s grown a little bit. He put on some weight. Everything’s good. I’m looking forward to watching him race again.”

Three Rules, with Cornelio Velasquez riding again, is one of six entered in the seven-furlong Swale, which directly precedes its sister race, the Forward Gal, as the fifth of 12 Saturday races (post, 2 p.m. Eastern).

After starting his career with a five-race rampage that included a sweep of the three-race Florida Sire stakes series, Three Rules finished a fading sixth in the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his first start outside of Gulfstream.

Duly regrouped, Three Rules has had six local works, including several bullets, leading up to his seasonal debut. He’ll get a stern test from Sonic Mule, a colt with stakes experience aplenty for leading trainer Todd Pletcher, and Favorable Outcome, whose 88 Beyer Speed Figure debut last summer for Chad Brown was followed by a third in the Grade 1 Champagne and a 12th in the BC Juvenile Turf.

This is the 36th running of the Swale, named for the colt who won the 1984 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes for Claiborne Farm.

SWALE (race 5)

Three Rules, by Gone Astray

Last 3 Beyers: 79-85-71

◗ His sensational record made him just 7-1 in the BC Juvenile. He enjoyed a clean, stalking trip but just couldn’t keep pace when the serious running began.

Sonic Mule, by Distorted Humor

Last 3 Beyers: 83-76-70

◗ His victories in the Buffalo Man and Mucho Macho Man over the Gulfstream surface illustrate how handy and versatile he has become.

Pretty City Dancer returns

Saturday is yet another big day in the career of Mark Casse, and not only because the highly decorated trainer will saddle champion Classic Empire for his 3-year-old debut in the final race of the day, the Holy Bull Stakes.

Saturday also marks the eagerly awaited return of Pretty City Dancer, whose dead-heat victory in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga made for one of the most exciting races of 2016. With Julien Leparoux back to ride, Pretty City Dancer is one of nine fillies entered in a terrific 41st running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Forward Gal (race 6, post 2:30).

Casse intended to make the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies with Pretty City Dancer, but those hopes were dashed not long after the Spinaway. Casse said she came out of a breeze “a touch off.”

“We went through a series of X-rays, and we couldn’t ever really pinpoint anything, but she missed enough time that we felt like she wasn’t going to be her best for the Breeders’ Cup,” Casse said. “On the side of caution, we took her home, which we often do, and gave her a little break, and now she’s back, we feel, better than ever.”

She’ll meet a salty crew that includes Wildcat Kate, Bode’s Dream, and Summer Luck – the top three finishers in the Old Hat here four weeks ago – as well as Ms Locust Point, a John Servis-trained filly whose form is vaguely reminiscent of that of Cathryn Sophia when she won the 2016 Forward Gal for Servis.

FORWARD GAL (race 6)

Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 75-75-59

◗ Prior to the Spinaway, she hinted at her considerable potential by winning back-to-back races at Churchill Downs, including the Debutante Stakes, all the while employing an eye-catching come-from-behind style.

Ms Locust Point, by Dialed In

Last 3 Beyers: 86-71-63

◗ Like Cathryn Sophia, the 2016 Kentucky Oaks winner, this chestnut filly began her career with flashy races up north and now has ventured south to see how she matches up against tougher opposition.