Federal Case to regroup around one turn in Gulfstream's Hutcheson

Robert and Lawana Low’s Federal Case is scheduled to cut back in distance in Saturday’s $100,000 Hutcheson (G3) at Gulfstream Park, cutting back to one-turn competition in the process.

The Hutcheson, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, headlines a 13-race program, with first post time set for 12:45 p.m. ET.

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt tasted defeat for the first time in his two-turn debut in the $350,000 Holy Bull (G2), in which he broke awkwardly, made a middle move and flattened out to finish seventh.

“He didn’t get away well. 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.”

Federal Case won his first two career starts, also both around one turn. The son of Gemologist broke his maiden at Keeneland at the about-distance of seven furlongs Oct. 19 before capturing an optional claiming allowance going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream Dec. 23.

The Kentucky-bred colt, who was purchased for $650,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale following his debut victory, is scheduled to face four rivals in the Hutcheson.

“We’re going to put some blinkers on and give that a try,” Pletcher said.

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano has the mount.

Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Pantofel Stable’s Topper T., who finished third in the seven-furlong Swale (G3) at Gulfstream Feb. 2, is slated for a return in the Hutcheson and the six-furlong distance over which he captured the Iowa Cradle for state-breds at Prairie Meadows; last August. Purchased privately and turned over to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the son of Bellamy Road finished off the board in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and the Kentucky Jockey Club (G1) at Churchill Downs while running around 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. 

Down Neck Stables and Jeffrey Lutsky’s Lutsky is set for his stakes debut Saturday, after graduating at first asking by 5 ½ lengths at Belmont Park July 12 and returning eight months later to finish a tiring third in an optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream March 1. Nik Juarez has the call.

Colts Neck Stables, LLC’s In the Loop is set to make his second career start in the Hutcheson after breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park while going six furlongs Feb. 23. Laurel Park-based Jevian Toledo has been named to ride the son of Super Saver for the first time.

Thoroughbred Champions Training Center, LLC’s Gladiator King, who dueled with heavily favored Hidden Scroll through blazing early fractions in the Fountain of Youth before finishing last, cuts back in distance Saturday. Leonel Reyes has the mount.