Wildcat Red Returns In Sunshine Sprint

Wildcat Red, a winner of six of 18 lifetime starts and a millionaire, suffered a back injury last year when running fifth in the Sunshine Millions Classic. He returned for a summer campaign in which he won the Teddy Drone Stakes but didn't threaten in either the Forego or Vosburgh (both gr. I) stakes. He comes off a nearly four-month layoff here.

 

"He had a tough summer, so we decided to give him a couple months off," said trainer Jose Garoffalo. "He's come back full of himself. He's more focused and stronger, and has put on some weight. We are ready to run."

 

Wildcat Red will have to have his running shoes on to catch X Y Jet, a front-running machine who is on a three-race winning streak. In December at Gulfstream he won the six-furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes (gr. III) by 9 1/4 lengths in 1:08.56. He came within a half-length of taking last year's Hutcheson and has found a home at six furlongs.

 

C. Zee was among those dispatched by X Y Jet in the Mr. Prospector, finishing third, 10 lengths back. Last year he won the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (gr. III) at 6 1/2 furlongs, but hasn't found the winner's circle in the ensuing 11 months.  

 

Others that have showed prowess include multiple graded stakes-placed Puntrooskie; stakes-placed El Botas; Buffalo Man Stakes winner It's Not Me; and Alfredo Romana, who did not threaten in the Claiming Crown Express last month, breaking a four-race win streak.

 

One race after the Sprint comes the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint Stakes run at five furlongs for Florida-breds. Four-year-old filly Katie's Kiss and 6-year-old mare Jewel of a Cat take on the boys in this one. Katie's Kiss has not finished worse than third in eight straight races. She won the Summer Wind Stakes over this course and distance in August and was second by three lengths to Jewel of a Cat in the Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint Preview Nov. 7 at Gulfstream Park West.

 

Jewel of a Cat returned from that triumph to take the Windley Key Stakes at Gulfstream, where she also won the Ladies Turf Sprint last year.Delta Bluesman is another ultra-consistent sort. He has gone 11 consecutive starts without finishing off the board, and dead-heated for third behind Jewel of a Cat and Katie's Kiss in the Turf Preview. He will be on or close to the lead. 

 

Pure Sensation, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, won the Turf Monster Handicap (gr. IIIT) two back and then had a troubled trip when eighth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT). He took the Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga in 2014. Summation Time just missed by a head when second in the Nearctic Stakes (gr. IIT) and by a half-length as runner-up in the Troy Stakes at the Spa.