Godolphin LLC's Prevalence, a brilliant 8 ½-length debut winner, is scheduled to make a highly anticipated return to the races Thursday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
The Brendan Walsh trainee will headline a field of six 3-year-olds in an entry-level optional claiming allowance, a one-turn mile event carded as Race 8.
Prevalence debuted on the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) undercard at Gulfstream Jan. 23, brushing with a rival shortly after the start before asserting himself on the backstretch and drawing away under wraps to complete seven furlongs in 1:23.
The Feb. 27 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream had been a goal for the homebred son of Medaglia d'Oro before missing a key workout by a brief illness.
“It was minor, a cough, but that put him out of any consideration for the Fountain of Youth,” Walsh said. “He's worked back since and has worked really well. He worked really good Friday, so we're happy with him. It will be a nice progression tomorrow going a mile from seven-eighths.”
A Kentucky Derby (G1) prep is a next-start possibility, depending on his return to the races Thursday.
“If we do, depending on tomorrow, it would be one of the very last ones, like the Arkansas Derby, the Wood or the Blue Grass,” Walsh said. “But I hate to look any further ahead than tomorrow.”
Tyler Gaffalione has the return mount aboard Prevalence.
David Fawkes-trained Caxambas Candy, who won by 4 ¾ lengths in his Feb. 17 debut in a mile off-the-turf maiden special weight race; and Gail Cox-trained Tio Magico, a son of Uncle Mo who finished second in the Nov. 1 Coronation Futurity at Woodbine last time out; are among Prevalence's rivals.
The post After Missing Fountain Of Youth Due To Cough, Prevalence In Gulfstream Allowance Thursday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
