Mucho Macho Man Provides Look at Florida 3-Year-Olds

The Road to the Kentucky Derby will not officially begin in South Florida until the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 31. However, the first weekend of the new year at Gulfstream will give an early glimpse into which youngsters might play a role in the series. Nine newly turned 3-year-olds were entered for the one-turn mile of the Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 3, seeking the winner's share of a $175,000 purse.

Roger That Dana , owned by Smith Ranch Stables and trained by Luis Ramirez, is the lone contender to be cutting back in distance and is likely to inject some pace into the race.

A gate-to-wire winner on debut over 6 furlongs in October, the son of Awesome Slew   was again the pacesetter against fellow Florida-breds in the Nov. 29 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' & Owners' Association Florida Sire In Reality Stakes over 1 1/16 miles. He was no match for the dominant winner, Strategic Risk , but held on well enough for third.

That experience around two turns could prove beneficial as he returns to one turn, with only three other runners having experience at a mile. Moving into open company from the state-bred ranks, he is 20-1 on the morning line.

Projected to be favored at 7-5 is Wathnan Racing's Commandment , a 5 1/4-length second-out maiden winner at Churchill Downs Nov. 1 for trainer Brad Cox.

One of those with experience at a mile, P & G Stables Cabourg , exhibited early foot over the same course and distance against allowance foes despite bobbling at the start Dec. 6. The Jose D'Angelo-trained son of Munnings   ran hard and was caught by just a neck at the wire. He is 6-1.

Epic Summer , a son of Vekoma  , will aim to kickstart an epic winter in Florida for owners Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, George Weaver—who also trains the horse—Steve Adkisson, Ryan Scott, and Scott Rice. He was impressive on debut at Aqueduct Racetrack Oct. 26 with a front-running 3 1/4-length score over 6 1/2 furlongs. Two of the five who chased him returned to win their next starts. He is the 7-2 second favorite.

Stakes Winners Spirit Doll, Sister Troienne Face Off in Ginger Brew

The fillies also have an opportunity at a $175,000 purse to kick off their sophomore year with eight entered in the Ginger Brew Stakes, a two-turn mile on the turf.

Peachtree Stable's Spirit Doll  is likely to catch plenty of attention after her 6 1/2-length triumph against Florida-breds in the Oct. 25 Our Dear Peggy Stakes, her debut on the turf and over a mile. Summering at Saratoga Race Course for Saffie Joseph Jr., the Tiz the Law   filly broke her maiden at first asking on the dirt before a troubled early run in the Spinaway Stakes (G1) led to her being eased. She then bounced back in the Our Dear Peggy.

Among her toughest challengers will be Woodslane Racing's Sister Troienne  for the red-hot Brian Lynch barn, which entered Jan. 1 with a 10-for-23 record at the Championship Meet. One of those victories was the Munnings' filly's 3-length score in the off-the-turf Wait a While Stakes Nov. 27. That win followed two victories on turf in as many attempts, leaving her on a three-race win streak.