War Correspondent, Lochte Head Appleton

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' War Correspondent doesn't just have form on his side as a contender in the $150,000 Appleton Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 28 at Gulfstream Park. He also has an edge in pedigree.

A 5-year-old son of War Front   out of the Rahy mare Tempo West, War Correspondent is a full brother to the highly regarded Declaration of War  , winner of the 2013 Juddmonte International at York and Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, both group I events. An American-bred who ran primarily in Europe, Declaration of War capped his career with a third-place finish in the 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), his dirt debut, at Santa Anita Park. He now stands at Ashford Stud in Kentucky and commands a $40,000 fee.

Similarly to Declaration of War, War Correspondent also began his career in Europe and was a two-time winner overseas, but he joined trainer Christophe Clement's stable last September to race full time in the U.S. The Kentucky-bred has performed well in each of his three North American starts. His American debut resulted in a four-length win in an allowance at Monmouth Park Sept. 13, then he stepped right up to graded stakes competition and finished second in the Nov. 14 Autumn Stakes (Can-II) on synthetic at Woodbine, before rallying to get up for third in the Feb. 7 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT), a length within top-two finishers Mshawish and Slumber.

"He's trained very well since his last race," Clement said. "John Velazquez will ride him. I'm excited about him, and we'll see how he runs. He's getting better and getting stronger (with every start)."

Lochte, winner of the 2014 Gulfstream Park Turf for Crossed Sabres Farm and trainer Marcus Vitali, also entered the mile Appleton. The 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro   finished seventh in this year's running of the Gulfstream Park Turf, but tuned up for the Appleton with a four-length allowance score Feb. 13 at Tampa Bay Downs. He carries highweight of 123 pounds.

The eight-horse Appleton field also includes Grand Tito, Excaper, and Mr. Online, the second-, fifth-, and sixth-place finishers from Gulfstream's Feb. 21 Canadian Turf (gr. IIIT); the stakes-placed Breitling Flyer; and Dramedy, winner of an allowance at the Appleton distance at Tampa Bay on Feb. 27.