Federal Case Returns to Sprinting in Hutcheson

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Federal Case Returns to Sprinting in Hutcheson
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Photo: Michelle L. Benson Photography
Federal Case at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale

After an off-the-board finish in the Fasig-Tipton Holy Bull Stakes (G2), Federal Case is scheduled to return to one-turn races March 23 in the $100,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Robert and Lawana Low's Federal Case posted narrow victories in each of his first two starts and off those efforts—an about seven-furlong maiden race at Keeneland and a one-turn mile allowance-optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park—was entered in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull for his stakes debut.

In the Holy Bull, Federal Case made a middle move, passing three horses to get up to third, but then faded late to finish seventh. The son of Gemologist  did experience some trouble in the race, which may warrant another try at two turns down the road, but for now trainer Todd Pletcher is focused on the six-furlong Hutcheson.

"He didn't get away well (in the Holy Bull). I thought after watching him train a little bit, we decided to back him up to six (furlongs) and regroup," Pletcher said. "I'm not saying we won't try longer down the road, but right now we'll back up to this and see how he goes."

From 2003-07 Pletcher won the Hutcheson five straight times and he'll be looking for his eighth win overall and first since 2012 in the sprint. For the second consecutive year, Gulfstream will offer the six-furlong test for 3-year-olds in late March.

Saturday's race will mark the shortest trip yet for Federal Case, and he will get blinkers. After Federal Case won his Keeneland debut in October for owners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing, he was sold at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $650,000 to the Lows (West Bloodstock, agent). His initial owners secured him for $180,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Awaiting Federal Case will be Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Pantofel Stable's Topper T, who finished third in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes (G3) Feb. 2 at Gulfstream. The Iowa-bred, a veteran of eight starts, returns to the six-furlong distance at which he captured the Iowa Cradle for state-breds at Prairie Meadows in August. Purchased privately and turned over to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the son of Bellamy Road  finished eighth in both the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs at two turns.

Topper T got off to a slow start in his 2019 debut in the Swale before closing to finish third while cutting back to one turn. Emisael Jaramillo has the mount, replacing Javier Castellano. 

Down Neck Stables and Jeffrey Lutsky's Lutsky will make his stakes debut after graduating July 12 at first asking by 5 1/2 lengths at Belmont Park and returning eight months later to finish a tiring third in an allowance-optional claiming race March 1 at Gulfstream.


Entries: Hutcheson S. (G3)

Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 23, 2019, Race 12

  • Grade III
  • 6f
  • Dirt
  • $100,000
  • 3 yo
  • 6:10 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1In the Loop (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Jevian Toledo 118 Jorge Duarte, Jr. 3/1
2 2Federal Case (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Javier Castellano 118 Todd A. Pletcher 9/5
3 3Gladiator King (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Leonel Reyes 122 Jaime Mejia 10/1
4 4Topper T (IA) Emisael Jaramillo 122 William I. Mott 2/1
5 5Lutsky (NY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Nik Juarez 118 Dermot Magner 4/1