The roll call of Donn H. winners through 2016 at Gulfstream Park reflects a roster of unique equine and human personalities, which is peppered with some magnificent performances that shouldn't be forgotten.

Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza won his first of three victories in 1969 aboard Funny Fellow and took home his last Donn with Foolish Pleasure in 1976.

One of the greats, Forego, captured the 1974 race. There was Deputy Minister in 1983. The legendary Cigar grabbed back-to-back races starting in 1995 for a trainer with the last name of Mott, who is still collecting accolades and giving sound speeches without notes.

And who could forget the haul by Todd Pletcher with his first Donn win in 2003 which was authored by Harlan's Holiday.

Speaking of sires, futures breeding shed stars like Medaglia d'Oro, Quality Road and Constitution, all got their picture taken after winning the Donn.

As we know, the race was renamed and its history placed on a dusty shelf. Instead of drawing from the near and visceral past, it was time to extract strength from a famous mythological winged horse slaying a dragon. Second in size stateside to only the Statue of Liberty, the completed 2014 edifice ominously guards the entrance of Gulfstream, presides over the Donn's demise and welcomes those attending Pegasus World Cup Day.

On Saturday, another edition arrives as the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. anchors a card which sports six other graded events. Looking to join the likes of Arrogate (who won the first Pegasus), Gun Runner and Life Is Good, are a dozen suitors and an also-eligible.

National Treasure schooling | Lauren King

Out of these, National Treasure (Quality Road) is the clear class leader. The Bob Baffert trainee won last year's GI Preakness S. and ended his 3-year-old campaign as the runner-up in the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile to newly-minted Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin).

One of National Treasure's primary rivals, who is drawn right next to him, is Godolphin homebred GSW First Mission (Street Sense). Trained by Brad Cox, the dark bay missed last year's Triple Crown, but he has the potential to be a major player within the 2024 Classic division.

“It couldn't have gone better so far,” said Cox assistant Trace Messina. “He shipped in here early Tuesday morning and had a good gallop over the track Wednesday and another good gallop Thursday.”

First Mission was second in the GII Clark S. at Churchill Downs last November. Both the winner of that race, Trademark (Upstart), and the third-place finisher, Il Miracolo (Gun Runner), also received a Pegasus invite.

Il Miracolo's trainer Antonio Sano said, “The horse has been doing very well after the [last] race. Right now, the horse is very excited and in good condition. He worked two times with [jockey Javier] Castellano and I hope to run well. I think there are four horses that show speed in the race. I hope we can find room behind the speed for the horse to close.”

As for the rest of the field, it includes Mineshaft's own GISW Hoist the Gold and MGSW Senor Buscador (who ran first and second in the GI Cigar Mile), plus the Iavarone's MGSW O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman) and that 7-year-old's Saffie Joseph stablemate MGSW Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator).

The Undercard Takes to the Turf

The rest of the Gulfstream slate has an intriguing lineup. In the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S., trainer Aidan O'Brien sends GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf runner-up Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) back to America. Since missing by a neck to newly-crowned champion female turf horse Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the filly was third in the G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in mid-December.

Warm Heart workout | Ryan Thompson

Last year's winner, Atone (Into Mischief) returns, along with the undefeated MGSW Integration (Quality Road), who picks up rider Tyler Gaffallione for Kendrick Carmouche.

West Point Thoroughbreds executive vice president Tom Bellhouse said about Integration's development, “He's as exciting a horse as we've had. He's just a super exciting horse. It took him a while to really get rolling and find his stride. If you look back, he had a lot of works and a lot of base. Shug [McGaughey] was always, 'I like this horse.' He's rewarded all the confidence Shug had in him. To win the race at Colonial [Downs] first time out and to come back a little less than four weeks later and win the Virginia Derby the way he did, it was spectacular. I was lucky enough to be at Aqueduct for the Hill Prince S. and it was one of those races that was never in doubt. It was really an amazing performance.”

A trio of graded turf races help to round out the Pegasus Day card. First among them is the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which moved up a spot to become a Grade II race. Star Fortress (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the market leader at 5-2 here, made her U.S. debut a winning one by 10 lengths for trainer Cherie DeVaux in the GIII Cardinal S. at Churchill Downs last November. Chief among her rivals will be veteran 6-year-olds like GISW Queen Goddess (Empire Maker), MGSW/MGISP Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}) and MGSW/GISP Didia (Arg) (Orpen).

As an ode to the Donn's origins, also on the docket are a pair of grass distance tests at 12 furlongs–the GIII La Prevoyante S. and the GIII W.L. McKnight S.

Graded dirt races do make an appearance with the GII Inside Information S. for older females at seven furlongs, which is led by local favorite GSW/GISP Maryquitecontrary (First Dude). Also, older males traveling a mile in the GIII Fred Hopper S. will look to challenge morning-line favorite Hejazi (Bernardini), who was the runner-up in the GI Malibu S.

Heading West

Finally, the graded train also makes Saturday stops at Sam Houston Race Park and Santa Anita Park. H-Town hosts the GIII Ladies Houston Classic S. and the GIII John B. Connally Turf Cup, while the 'Great Race Place' has its own nine-furlong test on the dirt in the GII San Pasqual S.

The post History Astride As Pegasus Card Promises Once Again To Slay Graded Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The FTHA annually recognizes horses who compete year-round in South Florida. All winners raced and won during the non-championship meets from April to November.

Based at Gulfstream with trainer Antonio Sano, Il Miracolo amassed $465,025 in winnings last year. He is joined by Time Passage (Tunwoo), who was named Florida's champion 3-year-old filly after winning five of nine starts in 2023.

Top 2-year-old male honors went to Bentornato (Valiant Minister), who has raced exclusively at Gulfstream where he reeled off four consecutive wins, while R Harper Rose (Khozan) was selected top 2-year-old filly after she won three of four starts.

Champion older male honors went to GSW/GISP Dean Delivers (Cajun Breeze). The top older female was GSW Three Witches (Into Mischief).

Amstrong (Tapwrit), winner of three stakes races, and Battle Cry (Prospective), who went five-for-nine, were named top Tapeta colt and filly, respectively.

The post GSW Il Miracolo Tops List Of 2023 FTHA Champions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“We are pleased to bring a talented son of Not this Time into our stallion barn at Pleasant Acres Stallions,” said Director of Stallion Services Christine Jones. “Simplification is a hometown hero for all of us in Florida and we are certain breeders will benefit from breeding to this Champion Horse-of-the-Year, Florida-bred, graded stakes winner.”

Bred by France and Irwin Weiner and owned by Tami Bobo, as a juvenile Simplification broke his maiden by an impressive 16 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park. The Antonio Sano trainee began his 3-year-old campaign with a front-running four-length victory in the Mucho Macho Man S., then finished as the runner-up in the GIII Holy Bull S.

Next, he won the GII Fountain of Youth S., finished third in the GI Florida Derby and was fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby. At four, he placed third in the GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S. and fifth in the GIII Ghostzapper S. before he retired with career earnings of nearly $900,000.

The son of Not this Time is out of the Candy Ride daughter, Simply Confection, who was named 2022 FTBOA Broodmare of the Year. The new stallion joins the likes of Bodexpress (Bodemeister), Doppelganger (Into Mischief) and Gunnevera (Dialed In) at the 220-acre farm located just northwest of Ocala.

The post Florida Horse Of The Year Simplification Arrives At Pleasant Acres For Stud Duty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Among the key rulings from the last seven days, trainer Natalia Lynch has been handed down a combined four-year suspension by an arbitrator, and a combined $55,000 in fines and arbitration costs.

Lynch had faced sanctions for two separate issues. One was for the possession of banned thyroid drug, Levothyroxine. The other was a positive test for another banned substance, Altrenogest—a synthetic progestin used in horses for the purpose of suppressing estrus—from Lynch-trainee, Motion to Strike.

Lynch's attorney told the TDN Monday that the trainer plans to appeal the arbitration result to a Federal Trade Commission administrative law judge.

An interesting wrinkle in the case is how in a series of proposed rule changes now headed out for public comment, HISA is seeking to alter the status of Altrenogest from a substance banned at all times to a controlled substance, permitted for use within certain criteria. Controlled substance positive findings are significantly leaner than those for banned substances.

Also this past week, trainer David Reid has been banned four months and fined $4,125 after his trainee, Maligator, tested positive for the banned substance, Venlafaxine. The case was resolved without a merits hearing.

Reid had previously provided proof to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Unit (HIWU) that his assistant of over 30 years had been prescribed Venlafaxine for 15 years.

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) established “by a balance of probability” that Maligator's positive finding was brought about by consuming hay contaminated as a result of the assistant relieving herself in the horse's stall.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 10/20/2023

Licensee: Antonio Sano, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Il Miracolo. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 9/08/2023

Licensee: Clarence King, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of the internal adjudication panel (IAP).

Explainer: For the presence of Dimethylsulfoxide—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Indirectly. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/15/2023

Licensee: Jeffrey Crozier, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of the IAP.

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Orb of the Boro, who won at Belterra Park on 8/15/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/28/2023

Licensee: Ruben Gomez, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on November 2, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Blue Cloud. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/29/2023

Licensee: Kevin Fletcher, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on November 4, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Caffeine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ruby Layne. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/03/2023

Licensee: Angel Castillo Sanchez, trainer

Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 12, 2023; At least a 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse beginning on August 28, 2023 and subject to a Negative Finding in a Re-Entry Test; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $12,500. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Pylon who won at Delaware Park on 8/3/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 07/20/2023

Licensee: Natalia Lynch, trainer

Penalty: 24-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 20, 2025; a fine of $25,000; payment of $2,500 of arbitration costs. Final decision of arbitral body.

Explainer: For the possible presence or possession of Levothyroxine, a banned substance. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214 (a)—Presence of a Banned Substance or a Banned Method.

Date: 07/20/2023

Licensee: Natalia Lynch, trainer

Penalty: 24-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 20, 2025; a fine of $25,000; payment of $2,500 of arbitration costs. Final decision of arbitral body.

Explainer: For the possible presence or possession of Levothyroxine, a banned substance. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214 (a)—Presence of a Banned Substance or a Banned Method.

Read more on Lynch's case here.

Date: 06/25/2023

Licensee: David Reid, trainer

Penalty: 4-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on September 11, 2023; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on July 20, 2023 (which has already been served); Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results from 06/25/23 and 07/16/23, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $4,125. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: For the presence of Venlafaxine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Maligator, who won at Hawthorne on 6/25/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/24/2023

Licensee: Natalia Lynch, trainer

Penalty: 24-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 20, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $25,000; payment of $2,500 of arbitration. Final decision of arbitral body.

Explainer: For the presence of Altrenogest—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Motion to Strike, who finished fourth at Monmouth Park on 6/24/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 10/06/2023

Licensee: Luis Mendez, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Big Celebration, who finished third at Santa Anita on 10/6/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/06/2023

Licensee: Carlos Martin, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin and Aminocaproic Acid—both Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Billy Price. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/05/2023

Licensee: Glenroy Brown, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone and Omeprazole—both Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Moester. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/05/2023

Licensee: Marcus Vitali, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Betamethasone—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Yankee Dollar, who won at Prairie Meadows on 10/25/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/20/2023

Licensee: Dr. Margaret Smyth, veterinarian

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the possible possession of Sarapin and Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)—Possession of Banned Substances.

Date: 09/14/2023

Licensee: Kari Craddock, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Connors Outlaw, who finished second at Remington Park on 09/14/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/13/2023

Licensee: Melvin Ovando, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from I Love Maria, who finished second at Delaware Park on 09/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/04/2023

Licensee: Gerald Brooks, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Gabapentin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Breezy Connection, who finished second at Timonium on 09/04/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Violations of Crop Rule

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Del Mar

Abdul Alsagoor – violation date Nov 11; $250 fine, one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Horseshoe Indianapolis

Andres Patricio Ulloa – violation date Nov 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension

McKenna Anderson – violation date Nov 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Parx Racing

Tyrone Carter – violation date Nov 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Yabriel Omar Ramos – violation date Nov 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension

OTHER KEY RULINGS 

The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California

Track: Del Mar

Date: 11/10/2023

Licensee: Mario Gutierrez, jockey

Penalty: $500 fine

Violation: Use of whip resulted in breaking the skin

Explainer: Jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rode Aloha Kitten in the fourth race at Los Alamitos Race Course on September 15, 2023 is fined $500 for violation of California Horse Racing Board #1688 (Use of Riding Crop-causing a break in the skin)

New York

Track: Aqueduct

Date: 11/08/2023

Licensee: Nancy Vutz, racing official

Penalty: $1,000 fine

Violation:  Lasix administration error

Explainer: Racing official Dr. Nancy Vutz is hereby fined the sum of $1,000 dollars for failing to conduct business in a proper manner necessitating a scratch in the 1st race at Aqueduct Racetrack on October 26th 2023.

The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings: Nov 7-13 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Drawn widest of all in post eight, the 7-2 chance was hustled from his outside draw and raced three wide around the clubhouse turn. He sat a perfect, stalking trip from an outside third, made his move on the far turn, kicked for home as the one to catch, and, despite drifting out badly down the lane,  was never in any serious danger late. It was three lengths back to Cagliostro (Upstart) in second; Daydreaming Boy (Goldencents) was third.

A well-beaten sixth in both the GII Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 4 and GI Curlin Florida Derby Apr. 1, Il Miracolo followed an optional claiming win at Gulfstream Park May 11 with a seventh-place finish in the GI Belmont S. June 10. He finished 3 1/4 lengths behind the GI Travers S.-bound Scotland (Good Magic) in the Curlin.

Pedigree Notes:

Il Miracolo becomes the 14th graded/20th stakes winner for leading young sire Gun Runner. The Gun Runner over Tapit cross is also responsible for GISW Society and GSWs Wicked Halo, Red Route One and Disarm. The winner's dam Tapit's World, a $175,000 purchase by Willow Oaks Farm at the 2015 FTKNOV sale, is also responsible for the 2-year-old colt Mister Cruiser (Catalina Cruiser) and a Vekoma filly of this year. She was bred back to Vekoma for 2024.

Tuesday, Parx
SMARTY JONES S.-GIII, $300,000, Parx Racing, 8-22, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:48.59, ft.
1–IL MIRACOLO, 121, c, 3, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Tapit's World (GSP, $154,179), by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Higher World, by Peaks and Valleys
                3rd Dam: Sarah's World, by Holy Bull
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($75,000 Ylg
'21 KEEJAN; $190,000 RNA Ylg '21 FTKOCT; $70,000 2yo '22
OBSOPN). O-Eduardo Soto; B-Willow Oaks Stable LLC (KY);
T-Antonio Sano; J-Luis Saez. $166,500. Lifetime Record:
13-3-4-0, $311,625. *1/2 to Steinar (Union Rags), SP-Swe,
$152,495. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cagliostro, 121, c, 3, Upstart–A Rosefor Isabelle, by Hard
Spun. ($385,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-David Ingordo, Talla
Racing, James Spry, West Point Thoroughbreds and Nice Guys
Stables; B-Lance Colwell & Janice Clark (FL); T-Cherie DeVaux.
$55,500.
3–Daydreaming Boy, 121, c, 3, Goldencents–Denali
Dreamscape, by Corinthian. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($15,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $31,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $15,000
2yo '22 OBSOPN). O-Bran Jam Stable & David Clark; B-Hinkle
Farms (KY); T-Louis C. Linder, Jr. $27,750.
Margins: 3, 1 3/4, 8HF. Odds: 3.80, 3.00, 9.80.
Also Ran: Adero, Ninetyprcentmaddie, Army Times, Victory Way, Movisitor. Scratched: Salute the Stars. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

Luis Saez makes is a three-stakes night at Parx Racing as #9 IL MIRACOLO ($9.60) fends off his late challengers to win the Smarty Jones (G3). Son of @Three_Chimneys Gun Runner is trained by Antonio Sano

Watch more on @FanDuelTV and wager at https://t.co/nBYFHiPrdh pic.twitter.com/kzFGjiFaol

— TVG (@TVG) August 22, 2023

The post Gun Runner Colt Breaks Through in Smarty Jones appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The post Vino Rosso Colt Skips Home First at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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He was timed in 1:00.88, the fastest clocking of four recorded at the distance. The Antonio Sano trainee is coming off a front-running score at Gulfstream in an optional claiming allowance at a mile May 11 in his first start since finishing sixth to 'TDN Rising Star' Forte in the GI Curlin Florida Derby.

“The horse wants distance and is doing really good, so we'll try,” Sano said.

Marcos Meneses will have the return mount aboard Il Miracolo who is scheduled to ship to Belmont Park Saturday.

The post Il Miracolo Finalizes Belmont Prep At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“Super breeze, big gallop out,” trainer Todd Pletcher said following the work. “He seems to really like the main track here. I'm very, very happy with the way he's been training. He hasn't missed a beat since the Derby. He's settled in well. He's been galloping over the main track. He had a breeze last week [half-mile in :49.04 May 19] and a more serious breeze today. It was a major piece of work today, we'll come back for a maintenance- type breeze next week. We always thought the mile and a half would suit him.”

A win would make Tapit Trice the fifth son of Tapit to take the Belmont, adding to the previous successes of Tonalist (2014), Creator (2016), Tapwrit (2017) and Essential Quality (2021). Pletcher likes the colt's chances of seeing out the 12 furlongs.

“He's out of a Dunkirk (Unbridled's Song) mare who I trained and ran second [to Summer Bird] in the [2009] Belmont. From a pedigree standpoint, you would think he's capable,” Pletcher said. “He's got that big, long galloping stride. I think the main thing is making sure that he gets into that comfortable rhythm and doesn't give himself too much to do early on. The Belmont is not necessarily a closer's race, but it seems like he's really coming up to it the right way.”

Would-be Derby favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) and Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) were scheduled to breeze Friday, but the former will now work Saturday morning at 8:45. Pletcher was unsure when Kingsbarns would return to the tab.

“He's got a little bit of a bellyache today, so we weren't able to breeze him,” Pletcher said of Kingsbarns.

At Gulfstream Park Friday morning, trainer Antonio Sano sent out Il Miracolo (Gun Runner) for a five-furlong move over a sloppy main track that was clocked in 1:01.06.

“He had a very good work. He leaves for Belmont next Saturday,” Sano said. “It's a very strong race and the horse is a little green right now, but I hope he can run well and run a strong race.”

Sixth and well-beaten behind Forte in the GII Fountain of Youth S. and again in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, Il Miracolo was the wire-to-wire winner of a one-mile allowance/optional claimer at Gulfstream May 11.

G1 Blue Grass winner TAPIT TRICE (outside) breezing for the G1 Belmont Stakes pic.twitter.com/C0JGigYH4n

— Ryan Martin (@RyanMartinNYRA) May 26, 2023

The post Tapit Trice, Il Miracolo Work Towards Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“He runs well fresh. He's proven he runs well fresh,” Joseph said. “He's 4-for-4 at Gulfstream, so that's a good thing. It's his home track.”

The $40,000 OBS March juvenile won a pair of starts in Hallandale late last season before adding the GIII Holy Bull S. in February and the GI Curlin Florida Derby Apr. 2. He was last seen finishing third, beaten under a length, in the GI Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct Dec. 3.

Joseph has two other candidates for the Pegasus. Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), third behind Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) and  in the GI Belmont S. and winner of the GIII West Virginia Derby, and O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman) worked five furlongs Saturday morning at Palm Meadows in advance of the GIII Harlan's Holiday S. Skippylongstocking was timed in 1:00.35 (4/18), while G1 Latinoamericano victor O'Connor went the same distance in 1:03.20.

“Skippy, he had a good work this morning. He worked well for the Harlan's Holiday,” Joseph said. Of O'Connor, Joseph added, “He had a quick breeze last week. He's plenty fit so we're just keeping him ready for the race.”

O'Connor has one stateside appearance to his credit, a six-length romp in an Oct. 16 optional claimer over 8 1/2 furlongs.

Also on the South Florida worktab Saturday was GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. hero Simplification (Not This Time), who prepped for the Harlan's Holiday with a five-furlong drill over the Gulfstream main track that was clocked in 1:00.23 with jockey Junior Alvarado up. It was his fourth breeze since finishing a troubled seventh in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 5.

“He went very well, he galloped out [six furlongs] in 1:13,” said trainer Antonio Sano, who celebrated his 900th victory in the U.S. when Major Pryce (Bucchero) aired in Saturday's second race. “This is important for me and my family. I work hard every day for my owners and my family. I have nothing but gratitude for the people of the United States for opening their arms for me,” he said.

All things equal, Simplification will also use the Harlan's Holiday as a springboard to the Pegasus.

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Junior Alvarado was aboard for the breeze, subbing for jockey Jose Ortiz.

“He galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.3, the seven furlongs in 1:27 and the mile in 1:40,” trainer Antonio Sano said. “Excellent. I'm so happy with my horse. He went very easy and came back well.”

Simplification is scheduled to work the next two Fridays at Gulfstream before shipping to Churchill Downs April 29.

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