Fabulous Strike Finally Returns

After more than a year and a half on the sidelines, grade I winner Fabulous Strike is back in the entry box. And according to trainer Todd Beattie, the 8-year-old gelding looks better than ever.

Walter Downey’s Pennsylvania homebred Fabulous Strike was entered in an allowance race April 9 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, where he will make his first start since finishing second in the Vosburgh Handicap (gr. I) in October, 2009. The son of Smart Strike  , a fan favorite based at Penn National, has produced a 14-5-0 record from 24 lifetime starts and earned more than $1.4 million. His biggest win came in the 2007 Vosburgh, and he has recorded 11 other stakes victories, including four additional graded stakes.

Fabulous Strike underwent stem cell treatment at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., last year to help him recover from a ligament strain in his pastern. He has worked steadily for Beattie at Penn National for much of the winter—with the exception of a minor setback—and seems ready for his comeback effort.

He is listed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite in a field of six going six furlongs on the main track for a $38,000 purse. Dana Whitney has the mount.