Seven years since Imawildandcrazyguy ran fourth in the
Kaplan, who turned 68 on February 15, has Florida-breds East
Owned by Jack Hendricks and Roger Justice, East Hall drew
This year, he was third by 2 1/4 lengths to General a Rod and Wildcat Red in the Gulfstream Park Derby on January 1, and closed to be third by a
“We think he’s a very high-caliber horse,” Kaplan said. “The race we gave him up at OBS, he was very much the best. He was five wide
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“I’m very high on East Hall’s ability. I think he deserves a shot on the
Triple Crown trail.”
We’re All Set drew post 5 in the
6TH race, where eight of
the 10 horses entered are Triple Crown nominated. Among the three-year-olds with
Derby aspirations are Tonalist, impressive Gulfstream maiden winner on January
18; Grade 2-placed Wicked Strong, off the board in the January 25 Holy
Bull; Mexikoma, sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his
last start; and Todd Pletcher-trained maiden winners Constitution and Matterhorn.
“That’s what you expect here at Gulfstream in the
Championship meet, because these big guys from up north don’t bring down their
bums,” Kaplan said. “They bring down their top three-year-olds, and they’re all
trying to get into that Triple Crown picture. I knew it wasn’t going to be an
easy spot, but it’s a good spot for a good test on him.”
Owned by Ione and Herbert Elkins, We’re All Set has made
one start this year, finishing third behind Fountain of Youth contender Top
Billing in an 8 1/2-furlong allowance at Gulfstream on January 25. The dark bay
son of With Distinction was second to Wildcat Red in a 6
1/2-furlong maiden sprint in the fall and third in Calder’s In Reality division
of the Florida Stallion Stakes, also entered in the Fountain of Youth.
“We’re All Set is a specimen,” Kaplan said. “He’s one of
the biggest and most attractive horses I’ve ever had. He’s developing nicely and
this is another step toward that. He has to improve a little bit but if he does,
he’ll show very well in this race I think.
“He’s got a huge stride on him. He’s a very big
horse and he’s going to get better as he gets older. I’m trying to get him to
the point where I feel comfortable trying him in the classic races. Hopefully,
he’ll move forward with this one. If he wins this one, then you’ll probably see
him in the Florida Derby. But, he’ll have to win this race.”
The 62nd renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Florida
Derby, at 1 1/8 miles, will be run on March 29. Also entered for Kaplan on
Saturday is three-year-old filly Holiday Magic in the Grade 2, $200,000 Davona Dale. The
bay daughter of Congrats won the Brave Raj Stakes last fall at Calder and was
third in her seasonal debut in the OBS Championship Stakes on January 21.
Among those going in the Davona Dale are undefeated
Forward Gal heroine Onlyforyou and Grade 2 winner Stopchargingmaria, both trained by
Pletcher, as well as Grade 2-placed Penwith and Aurelia’s Belle.
“She’s coming into it great, and everything looks good on
her,” Kaplan said. “There’s some tough horses in there, but we’ll see. She’s
doing well.”
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