Wildcat Red faces Florida-breds in Sunshine Millions Classic Preview

Wildcat Red will return to action Saturday at Gulfstream Park West. Trainer Jose Garoffalo said the Grade 2 winner has been entered in the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Classic Preview, the main event on Saturday’s card of eight divisional Florida-bred stakes. The races are designed as stepping-stones to the Sunshine Millions program at Gulfstream Park in January.

The Classic Preview will be the first start since Sept. 28 for Wildcat Red, who was freshened after running third as the favorite in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

“I gave him some time off,” Garoffalo said Wednesday. “He’s feeling so good, been training very good. He’s ready to run again.”

Garoffalo said Edgar Prado has the mount on Wildcat Red. The long-range goal for the horse is the Sunshine Millions Classic.

“We have this race and maybe one more race in December, then in January, the Classic,” said Garoffalo.

Wildcat Red had his first work since the Oklahoma Derby last Friday and breezed five furlongs in 59.80 seconds. The move was the fastest of six at the distance that morning at Gulfstream Park.

“He worked as he usually works,” Garoffalo said. “He went in 59 and change very easy, with no effort. I was very pleased with the workout.”

Wildcat Red, a winner of 5 of 12 starts and $909,850, won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and the Grade 3 Hutcheson and ran third to eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Flower Mart in Friday feature

Flower Mart will shake win machine Angelica Zapata on Friday in the featured ninth race. It is a second-level optional $50,000 claimer for fillies and mares going a mile on turf.

The field includes Jackie’s Daughter, who exits a stakes at Indiana Grand, and Kandhara, who comes out of a stakes at Gulfstream Park West.

Race 8

KEY CONTENDER:

Flower Mart (Last 3 Beyers: 79-76-73)

◗ She hooked 11-time winner Angelica Zapata in the $75,000 Soaring Softly at Gulfstream Park in her last start Aug. 2. Flower Mart ran third by five lengths, bidding from farther off the pace than usual in a race that featured quick fractions.

◗ Juan Leyva has the mount on Flower Mart, a two-time winner trained by Angel Penna Jr.