Quality Road was a star at last year’s Gulfstream meet, rolling to a 4
Transferred from Jimmy Jerkens to Todd Pletcher in June, Quality Road
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Quality Road hoped to avenge those defeats in the November 7 Breeders’ Cup
Classic (G1) at Santa Anita, only to lose his composure behind the starting
gate. After lashing out, kicking, refusing to load, and breaking through the
gate once finally pushed in, he sustained lacerations to his legs and had to be
scratched.
In the aftermath of his Breeders’ Cup debacle, Quality Road has
professionally handled schooling at the gate. If that gives any indication, the
four-year-old promises to be on his best behavior as he goes into post 2 with
regular rider John Velazquez.
Pletcher will also saddle HARLEM ROCKER (Macho Uno), who will be returning to
Gulfstream for the first time since capturing his first two career starts here
in 2008. The Stronach Stables homebred went on to land that year’s Withers S.
(G3) and Prince of Wales S., and crossed the wire first in the Cigar Mile H.
(G1) but was demoted to second. Sidelined for nearly one year, Harlem Rocker
reappeared in a November 14 allowance/optional claimer at Churchill Downs, and
after a strong stretch drive, just came up a head short. Eibar Coa, who guided
him throughout his 2008 campaign, will reunite with the late-running gray
Sunday.
The ever-dangerous Allen Jerkens could play the role of “giant killer” once
again, courtesy of LE GRAND CRU (Dynaformer). The improving five-year-old comes
off scores in the Bold Ruler H. (G3) and off-the-turf Kelso H. (G3), and figures
to mix it up with Quality Road early.
YOU AND I FOREVER (A.P. Indy) was most recently a poor 11th in the Clark H.
(G2) at Churchill Downs, but the Marty Wolfson charge is eligible to improve
when cutting back to a flat mile. The last time the well-bred bay raced at this
distance, he was runner-up in the 2008 Jerome H. (G2), beating third-place
finisher Harlem Rocker.
Other contenders in the nine-horse field include Grade 1-placed HELSINKI
(Distorted Humor), a half-brother to Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) hero Well Armed (Tiznow)
who exits a smart allowance/optional claiming score in his debut for the Rick
Dutrow barn; SPIN MASTER (Distorted Humor), who has been training sharply since
his Philadelphia Park allowance tally; and Michael G. Schaefer Mile S. victor
CONGRESSIONAL PAGE (Orientate).
The Hal’s Hope kicks off the Gulfstream stakes schedule that, as always, is
anchored by the $750,000 Florida Derby on March 20. Originally slated for March
27, the Florida Derby was moved one week earlier after Fair Grounds scheduled
its $750,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) for March 27.
Gulfstream has also tweaked the three-year-old stakes leading up to the
Florida Derby. The $150,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) will return to a mile, and will
take place on January 23. The $250,000 Fountain of Youth on February 20 will
return to 1 1/8 miles, the same distance as the Florida Derby.
Another major move in the realignment was turning the first Saturday of the
meet, January 9, into the inaugural Gulfstream Sprint Showcase. The blockbuster
day for sprinters comprises the Spectacular Bid S. for three-year-olds, the Mr.
Prospector (G3) for older horses, the Old Hat (G3) for three-year-old fillies,
the Sugar Swirl (formerly the First Lady) (G3) for older fillies and mares, and
a new stakes named the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint. The first four carry a
$100,000 purse and will be run at six furlongs; the Turf Sprint will be valued
at $75,000 and will be run at five furlongs.
Other highlights of the meeting are the January 30 Sunshine Millions, the
$500,000 Donn H. (G1) on February 6 and the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Turf H.
(G1) on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7. The big game will be played in nearby
Miami Gardens.