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Performer Chasing Encore In Gulfstream Park Mile

Phipps Stable and Claiborne Farm's Performer, who captured the Jan. 23 Fred W. Hooper (G3), will seek to produce an encore performance in Saturday's $200,000 WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile (G2).

Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, the 5-year-old son of Speightstown is slated to top a field of seven older horses in the one-turn mile event on Saturday's 14-race program with nine stakes, headlined by the $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2).

Joel Rosario worked out a winning trip aboard Performer after breaking from the rail post position in the Hooper, also run at a one-turn mile. Pinned down on the rail along the backstretch, Performer was swung to the outside on the turn into the homestretch and out-battled Eye of a Jedi to the wire to win by a neck.

“He gutted it out pretty good,” McGaughey said. “He was down on the inside. Joel looked up and saw those horses on the lead were going easy, so that's when he eased him to the outside. I don't think it killed him to win, but that horse that finished second is a pretty darn horse.”

The Hooper was Performer's sixth victory in eight career starts.

“He seems to have come out of the race good. He had a very good work the other day,” McGaughey said.

After finishing third in his November 2018 debut, the Phipps Stable's homebred won five races in a row, including the 1 1/8-mile Discovery (G3) at Aqueduct. His streak was broken with a third-place finish over a sealed sloppy track in the Dec. 5 Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct before getting back to winning form in the Hooper.

Performer has demonstrated the versatility to win at distances from 6 ½ furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, but McGaughey favors the longer distances for the Kentucky-bred.

“I'd like to run him around two turns. I kind of thought about that, but the race here [March 27 Ghostzapper (G3)] would be over two months and run him back a mile and an eighth. I could have taken him to New York for the [April 3] Excelsior, but that would be 11 weeks almost,” McGaughey said. “I thought, 'Well, I'll get a solid race in him here going a mile and can use either one of those for a mile and an eighth. I'll feel a lot better about his fitness level going a mile and an eighth.”

Jose Ortiz, who will ride McGaughey-trained Greatest Honour in the Fountain of Youth, is scheduled to ride Performer for the first time Saturday.

R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Hugh Lynch's Tax is scheduled to return to action in the Gulfstream Park Mile after finishing 10th in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup International (G1) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream.

The Danny Gargan-trained 5-year-old gelding previously captured the Harlan's Holiday (G3) by 4 ½ lengths at Gulfstream in his previous start.

Junior Alvarado has the call aboard the son of Arch.

Trainer Steve Budhoo's Eye of a Jedi, an ultra-consistent 6-year-old gelding who seems to be getting better with age, will seek to turn the tables on Performer. The son of Eye of the Leopard had finished a late-closing second behind Tax in the Harlan's Holiday prior to his narrow loss to Performer.

Marcos Meneses has the return mount aboard Eye of a Jedi.

Gelfenstein Farm LLC's Avant Garde, who has won six of eight starts since being claimed for $10,000, is set for a return in the Gulfstream Mile after closing from last to finish third, 1 ½ lengths behind Eye of a Jedi, in the Hooper. Trainer Gustavo Delgado is also scheduled to saddle Gelfenstein Farm's homebred Summer Kid, a 4-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid who is coming off a victory in a first-level optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream.

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano will ride the son of Tonalist for the first time, while Edgard Zayas has the return call on Summer Kid.

WinStar Farm and China Horse Club International's Fearless is scheduled to make his first start since finishing sixth in the June 20 Stephen Foster (G2) at Churchill Downs. The 5-year-old Ghostzapper gelding launched his career with two straight victories during the 2019-2020 Championship Meet.

Trainer Todd Pletcher named Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride Fearless.

Phat Man, who finished second in last year's Gulfstream Mile, is set for a return Saturday for owners Marianne Stribling, Force Five Racing LLC and Two River's Racing Stable LLC. The Kent Sweezey-trained 7-year-old gelding finished an even fifth in the Hooper after checking in third in the Harlan's Holiday.

Paco Lopez is scheduled to ride Phat Man for the first time Saturday.

Daniel Alonso's Wind of Change, a Brazilian import who finished a distant fourth in the Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) last time out, rounds out the field.

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Fountain Of Youth: Holy Bull Winner Greatest Honour Faces Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Victor Fire At Will

Courtlandt Farms' Greatest Honour, already a prime prospect on the strength of his dominating victory in the Jan. 30 Holy Bull (G3), will take a significant step along the Road to the Triple Crown in Saturday's $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

The Shug McGaughey-trained colt will have the opportunity to virtually clinch a spot in this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) field with a win in the Fountain of Youth, a 50-20-10-5 qualifying points race, as well as the important prep for the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill 'n Dale Farm at Xalapa March 27 at Gulfstream.

The Fountain of Youth, a tradition-rich 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, will anchor Saturday's blockbuster 14-race program with nine stakes, including the $200,000 Davona Dale (G2), featuring the 2021 debut of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) heroine and Eclipse champion Vequist.

Greatest Honour, who broke his maiden in his fourth career start Dec. 26 at Gulfstream, rallied from seventh in a field of nine to draw away by 5 ¾ lengths under Jose Ortiz in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull. The son of Tapit has shown McGaughey all the signs that he has moved forward in his training at Payson Park in Indiantown, FL since his winning stakes debut.

“He had a really good work up there Sunday morning. I was pleased with the work and was very pleased with the way he looked and the way he was acting,” said McGaughey, who is hoping Greatest Honour, the 9-5 favorite, will follow the example of Orb, whom he saddled for victories in the Fountain of Youth, Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2013.

Courtlandt Farms' homebred colt launched his career with a pair of strong closing third-place finishes in maiden special weight sprints at Saratoga and Belmont before losing a photo finish in his first trip around two turns at Aqueduct and completing his juvenile season with his 1 1/16-mile maiden breaker at Gulfstream.

McGaughey would gladly accept a set-up in the Fountain of Youth like the one he had in the Holy Bull, in which he rated well behind a contested early pace before producing a strong stretch rally.

“We'd like to see some speed ahead of him. When you have a horse that comes from behind, if you have some pace in front of you, it helps you,” said McGaughey, who saddled Code of Honor for a win in the 2019 Fountain of Youth. “But I'm not going to be overly worried if there isn't.”

Jose Ortiz has the return mount on Greatest Honour, who drew Post No. 8 in a field of 10.

Drain the Clock, an impressive winner of the seven-furlong Swale (G3) on the Holy Bull undercard, is expected to be an imposing pace factor from his rail post position Saturday in his stretch-out around two turns in the Fountain of Youth. He's 5-1 in the morning line.

The son of Maclean's Music was won four of five lifetime starts, his only loss coming when he lost his rider due to a broken iron during the running of the Nov. 30 Jeanne Laffite Stakes at Delta Downs. He entered the Delta stakes off a six-length debut victory at Gulfstream Park and an optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Park West. The Joseph trainee bounced back from his ill-fated trip to Louisiana with a 7 ½-length win in the Jan. 2 Limehouse and a 6 ¼-length triumph in the Swale during the 2020-2021 Championship Meet.

“He's a very talented horse. He showed that before he even ran. The second or third breeze he showed he had talent,” Joseph said. “The only blemish on his record was at Delta, and that wasn't his fault. Last time, he couldn't have won any easier than he did. He's won all his races in a good fashion. Hopefully, he can keep it going.”

Owned by Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Racing Stables LLC, Wonder Stables and Michael Nentwig, Drain the Clock will be ridden by Edgard Zayas.

Three Diamonds Farm's Fire At Will (7-2), who captured the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Keeneland last time out, is set to return to dirt in the Fountain of Youth.

“It's a tough task, whether he's a dirt horse or a turf horse, but he's earned the chance,” trainer Michael Maker said.

After finishing sixth on turf in his Aug. 8 debut at Saratoga, Fire At Will broke his maiden in the Sept. 2 With Anticipation Stakes over a sealed sloppy main track at the Spa. The son of Declaration of War went back to turf to capture the Oct. 3 Pilgrim (G2) at Belmont by two lengths and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf by three lengths.

Kendrick Carmouche, who guided Fire At Will to victory in the Pilgrim, returns to the saddle.

Tarantino, who is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Golconda Stables, Siena Stables LLC and Robert Masterson, made a respectable transition from turf to dirt in the Holy Bull, in which he pressed a solid early pace before finishing second behind Greatest Honour and 3 ¾ lengths ahead of third-place finisher Prime Factor.

The 3-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile, who was a nose away from being undefeated on turf in his first three starts. He won his debut and lost a stakes by a nose in Southern California with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert before capturing a Dec. 11 optional claiming allowance on turf at Gulfstream in his first start for trainer Rodolphe Brisset and finishing second in the Holy Bull on dirt.

“We're hoping he can be a couple lengths better this time,” said Brisset, who expects Tarantino (8-1) to move forward from his dirt debut.

Tyler Gaffalione is scheduled to ride Tarantino for the first time Saturday.

WinStar Farm LLC and CHC Inc.'s Prime Factor (5-1), who was favored in the Holy Bull, will be seeking to rebound in the Fountain of Youth. The son of Quality Rod debuted with a dazzling 8 ¾-length victory at Gulfstream Dec. 12 before taking a giant step up in the Holy Bull, in which he stalked the pace and raced evenly in the stretch to finish a distant third.

“We're hoping he shows improvement after having only two starts. He came out of that race good. He came back with two really good breezes,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We're just hoping it was a lack of experience and seasoning. He's trained like a good horse, so we'll see what he can do.”

Pletcher named Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride Prime Factor.

Magic Stable LLC's Papetu, who finished three-quarters of a length behind Prime Factor while checking in fourth in the Holy Bull, will also return in the Fountain of Youth.

“I think he made his move too soon,” trainer Antonio Sano said of his 15-1 shot. “He needs to relax early and make his run at the three-eighths [pole].”

Sano, who saddled Gunnevera for a victory in the 2017 Fountain of Youth, has named Junior Alvarado to ride Papetu.

Trainer Dale Romans, who saddled Promises Fulfilled for a Fountain of Youth score in 2018, will be represented Saturday by West Point Thoroughbreds and Peacock Stable's King's Ovation (15-1), who finished second behind Drain the Clock in the Swale.

OGMA Investments LLC and Off the Hook LLC's Jirafales, Teresa and David Palmer's Sososubtle (20-1), and David Bernsen LLC's Tiz Tact Toe (30-1) round out the field.

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Greatest Honour Has Final Tune-Up For Fountain Of Youth

Courtlandt Farms' Greatest Honour breezed an easy half-mile at Payson Park In Indiantown, Fla., on Sunday morning in preparation for a highly anticipated start in Saturday's $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

The 3-year-old Tapit colt who captured the Jan. 30 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream by 5 ¾ lengths, was timed in 51.20 seconds in his final work for the 1 1/16-mile major prep for the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill n' Dale at Xalapa March 27. He worked in company with Or'effice on his outside.

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is hoping that Greatest Honour will follow the example set by Orb, whom he saddled for victories in the Fountain of Youth, Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2013.

McGaughey also sent Phipps Stable and Claiborne Farm's Performer to the track for a half-mile breeze in 49.40 seconds in preparation for a start in the $200,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2), one of nine stakes on Saturday's card. Performer is coming off a victory in the Fred W. Hooper in his 2021 debut at Gulfstream.

Rodolphe Brisset-trained Tarantino, who finished second behind Greatest Honour and 3 ¾ lengths clear of third-place finisher Prime Factor in the Holy Bull, breezed a half-mile in 49.45 seconds Sunday morning at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Antonio Sano-trained Papetu, who finished fourth in the Holy Bull, breezed five furlongs in 1:01:20 Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park West in preparation for a return in the Fountain of Youth.

“It was very good,” said Sano, who saddled Gunnevera for a victory in the 2017 Fountain of Youth. “It was a very easy work.”

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Given ‘Time To Mature,’ Eres Tu Continues Comeback In Saturday’s Royal Delta Stakes

Edward Seltzer and Beverly Anderson's Eres Tu is scheduled to seek her fourth straight comeback victory in Saturday's $100,000 Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

The 5-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon, who is undefeated since returning from an 18-month layoff and joining trainer Arnaud Delacour's stable, will also pursue her second straight graded-stakes triumph in the 1 1/16-mile stakes for older fillies and mares that will headline Saturday's 12-race program.

“She's a very big filly. She's probably 17 hands or more. My guess is that all the time off she had helped her really mature and come to her full potential,” Delacour said. “She's been great since Day 1 with us. She hasn't missed a breeze. She's done everything so well, so that's exciting.”

Formerly trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Eres Tu broke her maiden in her second career start in November 2018 at Fair Grounds, where she went on to finish second in the Silverbulletday, third behind Serengeti Express in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) before going to the sidelines.

The homebred mare returned to action with a 2 ¼-length optional claiming allowance victory last October at Keeneland. She followed with a 1 ½-length score in the Nov. 26 Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes and a length triumph in the Dec. 26 Allaire DuPont (G3), both at Laurel Park.

“When you look at the type of horses she ran against as a 3-year-old – there's a bunch of Grade 1 winners in there – she showed that she was a quality filly,” Delacour said. “The time off gave here the time to mature – that's the key with her.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. is scheduled to ride Eres Tu for the first time Saturday.

Allen Stable Inc.'s Mrs. Danvers will seek her third-straight victory and second stakes in a row in the Royal Delta. The Shug McGaughey-trained 4-year-old daughter of Tapit is coming off a dazzling 6 ½-length victory in the Comely (G3) at Belmont Nov. 27.

Jose Ortiz has the return call aboard Mrs. Danvers.

Miracle's International Trading Inc.'s Dream Marie is set to participate in her third straight graded stakes of the Championship Meet. The Matthew Williams-trained daughter of Graydar finished second behind next-out winner Letruska in the Rampart (G3) and fifth in the Inside Information (G2).

Leonel Reyes will be back aboard Dream Marie Saturday.

e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Gibberish is scheduled to seek her fourth straight victory Saturday. The Saffie Joseph-trained daughter of Lea won back-to-back optional claiming allowances at Gulfstream Park before scoring a front-running triumph in the Treasure Chest Stakes at Delta Downs Nov. 27. Joseph is also slated to saddle Ken Copenhaver's Queen Nekia, who finished a close third in last year's running of the Royal Delta.

Tyler Gaffalione has the mount on Gibberish, while Corey Lanerie has been named to ride Queen Nekia.

G Watts Humphry Jr.'s High Regard, Robert Stack and Daniel Walters' Bajan Girl, and Al Rashid Stables LLC's Hallawallah round out the field.

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