Structor Returns at Gulfstream After 15-Month Layoff

Jeff Drown and Don Rachel's Structor, unraced since winning the 2019 Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore America (G1T), returns in a $53,000 third-level allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park Feb. 13.

Racing a mile on turf Saturday in the 10th race, he competes at the distance over which he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf more than 15 months ago at Santa Anita Park when he rallied past Billy Batts by three-quarters of a length. That score was one of three he had from as many starts in 2019, following a first-out maiden win at Saratoga Race Course and a head victory in the Pilgrim Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park.

The 4-year-old son of Three Chimneys Farm's Palace Malice  takes on more seasoned runners in Saturday's race, including one, Ever Dangerous, who took the Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland last out Nov. 6.

Last winter, Structor was initially considered for a dirt start in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream. After four works at Palm Meadows Training Center over that same winter, he missed training following an operation on his throat, trainer Chad Brown said last spring. 

He resumed breezing in May, working a few times at Stonestreet Training Center and once at Saratoga June 20. He was then sidelined again.

He has kept a steady work schedule over the past 2 1/2 months at Palm Meadows.