Talented but fragile Savemyspotimbeting returns in Gulfstream allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A year ago, owner Frank Calabrese sold Tahitian Warrior to Godolphin Racing following his sensational debut victory at Gulfstream Park. Three weeks later, Godolphin came calling again after the Calabrese-owned Savemyspotimbeting ran a similarly spectacular race in his unveiling, winning a maiden special weight sprint by five widening lengths.

Unfortunately for Calabrese, Savemyspotimbeting came out of his first start with a suspensory injury and has not run since. He will make his much anticipated return in Monday’s $51,500 feature to be decided under entry-level allowance conditions at six furlongs.

“I thought he was even better than Tahitian Warrior,” said Calabrese, “and I wouldn’t have sold him even if he didn’t get hurt.”

Savemyspotimbeting began his career with trainer Danny Miller but launches his comeback with Nick Canani, who is in the midst of another huge meet, having sent out winners at better than a 40 percent clip to date. Savemyspotimbeting has four published works in preparation for his return, including a near-bullet half-mile in 47.80 seconds here last Monday.

“He’s doing super, training very well,” said Canani. “He was in front all the way in his first start but he’ll run his own race on Monday. Right now we just need to get him started and take things race by race. He’ll tell us how far and where to go next.”

Savemyspotimbeting will have to be sharp to win off the bench. His competition will include the steadily improving Candyman E, stakes-placed Catalan, and Green Monster, along with Mighty Score, Lubango, and Morethanatale.

Candyman E. has improved with each successive start, finally earning his diploma with a game half-length win here on Jan. 8 for which he received a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure. Candyman E. is trained by Michael Mareina, who, like Canani, is off to a great start, having won with 7 of his first 14 starters at the meet.

Catalan finished third in Monmouth Park’s Select Stakes to close out his 3-year-old campaign in early August and prepped for his 2011 debut at Santa Anita before shipping east to finish far back following an unlucky start in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector.

Green Monster comes off his best yet, finishing a game fourth despite being taken up in the run down the backstretch going a mile against entry- level allowance types here six weeks ago.