Isotherm to Return to Turf in Dania Beach

Isotherm, winner of the 2015 Pilgrim Stakes (gr. III) on the Belmont Park inner turf, will make his 2016 season debut in the $100,000 Dania Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) Jan. 2 at Gulfstream Park.

The Dania Beach, a 7 1/2-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds, has attracted 10 entries.

Matthew Schera's Isotherm will be making his first start since an off-the-board performance in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Oct. 31 at Keeneland. After trying the main track that day, Isotherm will return to the turf where the son of Lonhro (AUS) is undefeated in two tries including a narrow victory in the 1 1/16-mile Pilgrim.

Trained by George Weaver, Isotherm also won a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 22 at Saratoga Race Course.

Expected top challengers for Isotherm on Saturday include Mountain Music Man, winner of the 2015 Awad Stakes on the Belmont turf; and Ray's The Bar, who finished third in the Pilgrim. 

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Robert and Lawana Low's Mountain Music Man will be making his first start since finishing third in the Pulpit Stakes Nov. 28 going one mile on the Gulfstream turf.

Ray's The Bar, trained by Chad Brown, will be making his first start since an off-the-board finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) Oct. 30 at Keeneland.