Wildcat Red eyes Smile Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Wildcat Red is wasting little time getting himself fit and ready for his much-anticipated return. Working for just the second time since going to the sidelines following his fifth-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Classic five months earlier, Wildcat Red zipped a quick five furlongs in 59.40 seconds over a fast track with Eddie Castro aboard on Friday morning.

Wildcat Red, winner of the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and Grade 3 Hutcheson here last year at 3, suffered a hind-end injury in the Sunshine Classic. Owned by Honors Stable Corp., Wildcat Red has earned $936,875 during a career that also saw him finish second, beaten a neck by Constitution, in the 2014 Florida Derby. He finished 18th five weeks later in the Kentucky Derby.

“I’m happy with the work this morning; I think he was ready to do that,” said trainer Jose Garoffalo. “He did it very easily, with no effort, and galloped out very strong. I was surprised he went as fast as he did, but that’s him, that’s the way he works. I talked to the owners today, and if everything goes well, we might bring him back in the Summit of Speed on July 5 in the Smile Sprint. He’ll need at least two more works before then, so we’ll see how they turn out and then make the decision.”