HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It’s been a meet to far exceed expectations for trainer Cheryl Winebaugh and her husband, Kenny. The Chicago couple are in their first full winter at Gulfstream and have won nine races from 42 starts, with one win apiece from nine different horses.
“We feel very fortunate and blessed,” said Kenny Winebaugh, who works side-by-side with his wife in Barn 21.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – As if having the Florida Derby and a massive Rainbow 6 dispersal isn’t enough, the March 31 program at Gulfstream Park also could feature the comeback of 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.
Trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed Wednesday that the colt is a good possibility to run in the Grade 2, $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile, a one-turn mile that will serve as a fresh start for a colt whose three starts following his Derby victory resulted in disappointment.
Jockey Reylu Gutierrez, originally diagnosed with four minor vertebrae fractures and expected to miss at least four weeks following a spill here last Saturday, was cleared to resume riding Wednesday after getting a second opinion from a spine specialist Tuesday.
“It looks like the hospital misdiagnosed his condition,” Gutierrez’s agent, Bryce Soth, said. “He went to a spine specialist and has been cleared to ride.”
Jockey Corey Lanerie will be represented by jockey agent Richie Price when the Keeneland race meet begins April 6.
The pairing definitely was not premeditated. Price’s rider, Miguel Mena, was injured in a spill March 15 at Fair Grounds. Mena broke bones in his heel and ankle. He sees an orthopedic specialist Wednesday, after which a more detailed timeline for his return could emerge, but Price said earlier this week that Mena, who was leading rider at the meet before he got hurt, could be out of action for as long as six months.
Restoring Hope is being pointed for the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby on Sunday, said trainer Bob Baffert. The 1 1/8-mile race awards 85 points for the Kentucky Derby on a scale of 50-20-10-5.
Baffert said Flavien Prat has the mount on Restoring Hope, who earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89 for a maiden special weight route win last month at Santa Anita.
Jockey Jose Flores, a winner of 4,650 races, was on life support at Aria Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in Philadelphia on Tuesday morning after going down in a spill during the ninth race at Parx Racing on Monday. Flores suffered extensive cranial and spinal injuries in the accident and is not expected to survive.
Parx Racing has canceled its Tuesday card, according to Sam Elliott, the track's director of racing.
"We've canceled out of respect for Jose, his career, and his family," Elliott said. "Jose has been a very well respected mentor in the local jockey colony."
Snapper Sinclair and Retirement Fund put the finishing touches on their major Louisiana Derby preparation Monday, each working a comfortable solo half-mile at Fair Grounds for trainer Steve Asmussen. Retirement Fund went his half in 50.80, Snapper Sinclair in 49.60.
“All is well with them,” said Asmussen. “I expect them to run good.”
The first and only starter trainer Keith Desormeaux will have at this Fair Grounds meet comes in the most important race of the meet.
My Boy Jack is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby. The colt was to ship Tuesday morning from California. His trainer has made a much deeper journey since he called New Orleans home every winter.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Bravazo worked a bullet Sunday at Oaklawn in his final prep for the Louisiana Derby. He is scheduled to ship to Fair Grounds on Thursday, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.
The horse won last month’s Grade 2 Risen Star in New Orleans.
Bravazo worked five furlongs by himself in a 59.60 seconds, the fastest move of 26 at the distance. Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton had the horse galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.20.
“He worked really well,” Lukas said. “I was very pleased with it. I thought it was stronger than even the previous work.”
