Money Moves looks to lead Gulfstream's Unbridled Stakes

It’s only in a year such as this one that a newly written $75,000 stakes race on April 25 could make an impact on the spring (now fall?) classics.

Added to the condition book to serve horsemen in south Florida who any other season may have already moved back to New York and Kentucky, Gulfstream Park’s Unbridled Stakes looks to attract some 3-year-olds on the rise.

In particular are local allowance winners Money Moves and Americanus, both considered probable by the racing office to enter Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile race.

Money Moves, a $975,000 Candy Ride colt from the Todd Pletcher barn, looks like a potential Unbridled favorite with a 2-for-2 record. Running for Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable, he progressed right from a maiden debut to defeat winners going a mile on March 27 at Gulfstream.

Americanus, a Courtlandt Farms homebred trained by Mark Hennig, has run in stakes company once before, finishing eighth in the Nashua Stakes (G3) last November at Aqueduct. He returned looking like a better horse when second in a Jan. 15 allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream going six furlongs. Americanus then excelled when going 1/8 of a mile farther to top a nice allowance field on Feb. 22.

Money Moves’ allowance figures to produce other Unbridled Stakes starters. Runner-up Edge of Fire, who poked a head in front before Money Moves made a brave move up the rail, is an Ontario-bred from the Jimmy Jerkens barn set for his stakes debut. Soros, fifth that day and strong on the gallop out, was making his first start since winning the Nov. 30 Smooth Air Stakes.

Other probable Unbridled starters exit stakes defeats, with third-place Attachment Rate and fifth-place Necker Island both exiting Aqueduct’s Gotham (G3) at a one-turn mile. Dale Romans-trained Attachment Rate was previously an impressive Gulfstream maiden winner, while Necker Island progressed through his conditions last fall at Churchill Downs before also running fifth when sprinting in the local Swale Stakes (G3).

Louisiana-bred Relentless Dancer could improve on a class drop, too, given he was fourth in the Holy Bull (G3) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3). In both, the Mike Maker trainee was on or near the pace through fast fractions before giving in. He has been working local bullets for this race, which draws Wednesday.

Pletcher nominated six 3-year-olds in all, while a number of other candidates are working in south Florida and appear eligible to run. The biggest name on the nominations list, graded stakes winner Sole Volante, is not expected to be entered.