Haikal to Test Deeper Waters in Gulfstream Park Mile
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Haikal at Churchill Downs
Shadwell Stable's Haikal is among several in a field of 11 older horses in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) Feb. 29 who are returning to stakes company for the first time since efforts in major stakes last year.
One of two entries in the Gulfstream Park test for Kiaran McLaughlin, Haikal was nipped for the win in a Jan. 5 allowance optional claimer at Aqueduct Racetrack in his first start in nine months, finishing second. The 4-year-old son of Dahaar who scratched from last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with a foot issue looks to regain the form he showed on the Derby trail.
"He ran very well last time just losing by a nose coming off a long layoff," McLaughlin said. "We were very pleased with the effort, and he's trained very well since. He's matured. He looks great. Everything is good with him, and we hope for the best."
Haikal won the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes and the Gotham Stakes (G3) before finishing third in the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2) last year at Aqueduct. Rajiv Maragh will ride the colt from post 2.
McLaughlin also brings Calumet Farm's True Timber, who finished eighth in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1), into the Gulfstream Park Mile. The 6-year-old son of Mineshaft finished third in the one-mile Kelso Handicap (G2), the seven-furlong Bold Ruler Handicap (G3), and the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) leading up to the Pegasus.
With eight placings in black-type races, True Timber has yet to have a breakthrough stakes win.
"Going back to a mile should help," McLaughlin said. "He's always tried hard."
Joe Bravo has the ride aboard True Timber from post 7.
Trainer Dale Romans also has a pair entered Saturday: Pegasus World Cup runner-up Mr Freeze and Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3) third Rare Form.
Prior to the Pegasus, Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister's Mr Freeze won the Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs in September before finishing second in the Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland and third in the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) at Churchill.
"I don't think we've gotten a perfect trip or the best out of him," Romans said. "(One mile) may be his best distance. It's a Catch-22. A horse like him, I think, is better if you go further if they'll leave you alone on the lead and you can kick home the last part of it—make it a sprint for home. But he's shown he can go gate-to-wire at the distance."
Mr Freeze in the paddock at Gulfstream Park
After a troubled run entering the first turn in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup, the 5-year-old son of To Honor and Serve held the lead leaving the second turn before being overtaken by Mucho Gusto and then dug in to finish three-quarters of a length in front of third-place finisher War Story.
Manny Franco has the call on Mr Freeze from post 9. He carries the top weight of 124 pounds along with Fred W. Hooper Stakes winner Phat Man.
The Fred W. Hooper was the second stakes race for Rare Form, who is a half brother to recent UAE Oaks Sponsored by Range Rover (G3) winner Down On Da Bayou.
Flavien Prat has the call aboard Rare Form from post 8.
The Pegasus fifth-place finisher will also return in the Gulfstream Park Mile. Bodexpress, who last year ran in the Kentucky Derby and then lost his rider at the start of the Preakness Stakes (G1), drew the rail.
Hog Creek Hustle, who finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in November at Santa Anita Park and then returned Jan. 18 to finish second in the Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, drew the outside post 11 and will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, February 29, 2020, Race 12Entries: Gulfstream Park Mile S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Bodexpress (KY)
Emisael Jaramillo
118
Gustavo Delgado
6/1
2
2Haikal (KY)
Rajiv Maragh
118
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
10/1
3
3Phat Man (KY)
Javier Castellano
124
J. Kent Sweezey
4/1
4
4Forever Mo (KY)
Marcos Meneses
118
Alexis Delgado
20/1
5
5Zenden (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Todd A. Pletcher
9/2
6
6Expert (KY)
Junior Alvarado
118
Domenick L. Schettino
8/1
7
7True Timber (KY)
Joe Bravo
120
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
15/1
8
8Rare Form (KY)
Flavien Prat
118
Dale L. Romans
10/1
9
9Mr Freeze (KY)
Manuel Franco
124
Dale L. Romans
7/2
10
10Do Share (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
120
Norm W. Casse
15/1
11
11Hog Creek Hustle (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
122
Vickie L. Foley
12/1
