Lochte, Unbridled Command Among 38 Tropical Turf Nominations

 

Both Lochte and Unbridled Command were among the 38 nominees to the 1 1/8-mile Tropical Turf for 3-year-olds and up. Meet-leading trainer Marcus Vitali saddled Lochte to a 39-1 upset of the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) in February and a runner-up finish in the Frank Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita in March.

 

Trained by Gulfstream Park-based Marty Wolfson, 2012 Hollywood Derby (G1) winner Unbridled Command was third in the GP Turf Handicap in his lone start of 2013 and is winless in four starts this year, all in California.

 

Todd Pletcher, winner of 11 consecutive training titles at Gulfstream Park’s Championship meet, nominated five horses to the Tropical Turf including Mshawish, a Group 2 winner in Dubai, and graded stakes winners Unitarian and Winning Cause.

 

The 1 1/8-mile My Charmer for fillies and mares 3 and up attracted 31 nominees, including South Florida-based multiple stakes winners Angelica Zapata and Daring Kathy, both seeking their first graded stakes triumph.

 

Trained by David Fawkes, 3-year-old Daring Kathy is undefeated in four tries on turf in Florida, while trainer Ron Pellegrini’s 6-year-old mare Angelica Zapata is 7-for-11 lifetime at Gulfstream Park West, beaten a half-length for the win in last year’s My Charmer.

 

Each of trainers Chad Brown, Christophe Clement and Graham Motion nominated four horses to the My Charmer. Brown’s quartet includes Danza Cavallo, a close second in the Long Island Handicap (G3) on November 8 at Aqueduct; stakes winner Granny Mc’s Kitten, Grade 3-placed Clearbrook and French import Summer Moon, yet to make her U.S. debut.

 

Among Clement’s nominees are Parranda, winner of the Suwannee River (G3) and Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park over the winter, and Glens Falls (G3) winner Irish Mission. Parranda was sixth and Irish Mission last of 11 in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at on November 1 at Santa Anita.

 

Gulfstream Park West concludes its inaugural Fall Turf Festival meet on November 30.