Paco Lopez Back to Work

After a week off from riding to attend to personal business in his native Mexico, 24-year-old jockey Paco Lopez got back to professional business at Gulfstream Park on Thursday riding two winners and extending his lead in the standings to 10 with 62 victories at the session and six racing days to go before closing on Sat., Apr. 24.

Veteran Elvis Trujillo took advantage of Lopez’ absence last week to close the gap with nine wins and ranks second on the leader board with 52 tallies. John Velazquez and Javier Castellano led the standings for most of the meet before shifting their tack after Florida Derby weekend last month, but remain third and fourth in the standings with 50 and 46 wins, respectively.

Trainer Todd Pletcher retains an insurmountable lead in the standings as he has sealed a seventh consecutive Gulfstream meet championship with 33 victories, 14 more than closest rival Bill Mott second with 19. They are followed by Nick Zito third with 17, Rick Dutrow fourth at 16 and Nick Canani fifth with 15.

Amen Hallelujah Set for Oaks Work at Gulfstream Saturday

Trainer Rick Dutrow has arranged for IEAH Stables and Whizway Farms’ 3-year-old filly Amen Hallelujah to work on turf between the fourth and fifth races on Saturday at Gulfstream Park as she continues preparation for her scheduled start in the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Fri., Apr. 30.

A Florida-bred chestnut by Montbrook, Amen Hallelujah won the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita for Dutrow in mid-January. Dutrow then brought her to Gulfstream to romp home a 6 ¼ lengths winner of the $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) going a mile over the track here on Feb. 27.

In one more start since then Amen Hallelujah finished second in the $200,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes (G2) as the 3-to-2 second choice going 1 1/8 miles on Florida Derby Day, Mar. 20 behind Glencrest Farm’s Devil May Care with Rose Family Stable’s Joanie’s Catch finishing third. All three remain on target for the Kentucky Oaks.

Devil May Care also remains in South Florida at Palm Meadows and trainer Todd Pletcher  has her scheduled to work there on Sunday before shipping to Kentucky on Tuesday along with Zayat Stable’s Eskendereya, winner of the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream on Feb. 20, and the current favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Sat., May 1.

Fast Tigress Returns in Sunday Allowance Feature

Sam Kassin and Eli Gindi’s 4-year-old filly Fast Tigress was last seen at Gulfstream Park finishing a good fourth behind Gozzip Girl in the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) early last year for trainer John Kimmel. She’s entered to make her first start this season and first for trainer Rick Dutrow in Sunday’s allowance feature.

Jockey Jose Lezcano rides Fast Tigress in the 1 1/16 miles turf test and should rule the choice in a field of six fillies and mares in her first start since a dull try when finishing ninth of 10 in the Riskaverse Stakes on turf at Saratoga on Sept. 3.

While Gozzip Girl went on after the Herecomesthebride to rank among the leaders of the division as a Grade 1 winner, Fast Tigress ran some good races as well, finishing third in the Appalachian Stakes (G3) at Keeneland and just missing when second by a neck in the Desert Vixen over the Monmouth Park course in July before the Riskaverse.

Another 4-year-old filly with stakes credentials last year entered to make her season debut in Sunday’s race is Team Five Star Stable’s Miss Blakely with C.H. Marquez, Jr. named to ride for trainer Jose Orseno as she makes her first appearance since a runner-up effort in a Woodbine allowance on Dec. 6.

A Canadian-bred daughter of highly-successful sire Smart Strike, Miss Blakely won two races over the Gulfstream course early last season, including the Boynton Beach Stakes almost exactly a year ago. She went on to place third in the Woodbine Oaks and Twin Lights Stakes at Monmouth.             

Completing the field for Sunday’s feature are Angel Quiroz’ Margaret Smile, Luis Saez; Butterfly Stable’s Romin Robin, Joe Bravo; Greycross Stable’s Zister, E.T. Baird; and Blue Top Holding Stable’s Who Plays Brahms, Chris DeCarlo.