Boys at Tosconova entered at Gulfstream Friday

Boys at Tosconova will meet graded-quality rivals in the optional claimer (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography) After scratching Boys at Tosconova from last Saturday’s Harlan’s Holiday Stakes, trainer Rick Dutrow has entered his Grade 1 hero in Friday’s 3RD race at Gulfstream Park, a ‘three other than’ optional/allowance feature going one mile. Dutrow, who instead sent out unbeaten comebacker Trickmeister to dominate the Harlan’s Holiday, explained the change of plan. “I hate running my horses against each other,” the trainer said. “If he (Boys at Tosconova) shows up the way we want him to, and the way he’s been training, then we can point him to bigger races.” Owned by Jay Em Ess Stable and partners, Boys at Tosconova ranked among the top juveniles of 2010, defeating Stay Thirsty in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes and finishing best of the rest behind Uncle Mo in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The son of Officer was knocked off the Triple Crown trail because of ankle issues, which ended up sidelining him for a total of 11 months.

Boys at Tosconova returned to action in an optional/allowance race at Belmont
Park on October 8. Off a step slow, he lost early position, but recovered to
report home an encouraging third. Boys at Tosconova got off to a better start
next time in a November 11 optional/allowance at Aqueduct, and duly cruised to a
2 1/2-length decision. The dark bay will break from post 2 on Friday with
regular rider Ramon Dominguez.

The six-horse field includes a couple of other classy performers. Where’s
Sterling, winner of the Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin two back, was most recently a
close second in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap. A horse for the course,
the Nick Canani trainee is two for three at Gulfstream. Paco Lopez, who has been
aboard for all three of the colt’s career wins, will look to keep their perfect
partnership intact from post 6.

Hollinger, a former Canadian champion juvenile male, tries dirt for the first
time here. The Roger Attfield charge has been sharp on the grass of late and
comes off a third in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap. Hollinger, who has
drawn the rail, picks up the services of John Velazquez.

Trust the Deputy shortens up and switches surfaces off his tailed-off last in
the Grade 2 W.L. McKnight Handicap. Grade 2-placed Nacho Friend is in for the
$80,000 tag, as is Grade 3-placed stakes scorer Ribo Bobo.