Private Zone Takes Gulfstream Hcp Highweight

The weights for Saturday’s Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) have been released, tabbing Shared Belief as the highweight at 124 pounds. Shared Belief is not scheduled to participate in the one-mile handicap, leaving Good Friends Stable’s Private Zone as the expected starting highweight at 122 pounds.

The Jorge Navarro-trained Grade 1 stakes winner is slated to carry two pounds more than Grade 1 winner Wicked Strong, five more than Fred Hooper (G3) victor Valid and six more than Grade 2 stakes winner Honor Code.

Pletcher-Trained Duo Top Friday’s Islamorada Stakes

Trainer Todd Pletcher entered a pair of lightly raced 3-year-old prospects Sunday to compete in Friday’s $60,000 Islamorada at Gulfstream Park.

Recent winners Stanford and Materiality top a field of six 3-year-olds in the 1 1/8-mile overnight handicap, carded as the third race on Friday’s 11-race program.

Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith and Stonestreet Stables’ Stanford has been assigned 121 pounds on the strength of his 1 ½-length victory in a Feb. 8 optional claiming allowance. The son of Malibu Moon had won one of two starts in 2014 before making his 2015 debut at Gulfstream. Leading rider Javier Castellano has the mount.

Alto Racing’s Materiality, who will carry 117 pounds including John Velazquez, made a winning debut at Gulfstream on Jan. 11, drawing off to score by 4 ¼ lengths while running six furlongs in 1:10.32. John Velazquez has been named to ride.

Lucky Shamrock Stable’s Quimet, who is trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, has been assigned 118 pounds off his recent strong form at Gulfstream. After breaking his maiden on Jan. 1, the son of Birdstone came back to finish second in a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming allowance on Feb. 4, when he set the pace before being caught late and forced to settle for second. Luis Saez is slated to return to the saddle.

Godolphin Stable’s Tradesman will go to post in the Islamorada, officially, as a maiden, although the son of Street Sense is coming off a sharp first-place finish in a Jan. 8 maiden contest. The Tom Albertrani-trained colt was disqualified for intereference in the stretch and was placed sixth.

High Noon Rider and Lucky Delfino round out the field.

Matrooh Makes Impressive U.S. Debut in Feature

Shadwell Stable’s Matrooh made an impressive U.S. debut Sunday at Gulfstream Park, winning the 11th race feature by 2 ¾ lengths.

Trained by Chad Brown, the 5-year-old gelding hadn’t raced since finishing fourth in a turf handicap at Doncaster, England on Oct. 25, 2013.

“He was training big at Palm Meadows. He was training so well on the dirt,” said Brown, who welcomed the son of Distorted Humor into his stable last summer. “He had little hiccups along the way. We just took time with him. He had a nice series of breezes together. We were anxious to see him run to his works.”

Matrooh dragged jockey Javier Castellano to the lead along the backstretch of the one-turn mile event and was never threatened thereafter in the first-level optional claiming allowance. He ran a mile in 1:37.29 as the 4-5 favorite in a field of seven.

“I think he’s a very nice prospect. Let’s hope he stays healthy. If he does, he has a bright future ahead of him,” Brown said.

WHO'S HOT: Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado visited the winner's circle twice, scoring aboard Half Wildcat ($8.20) in the first race and Mom'z Laugh ($18.80) in the sixth race. Both horses are trained by Marcus Vitali. Jockey Edgard Zayas also notched a pair of victories, taking the fourth race aboard No Act ($3.60) and the fifth race aboard Slynninberg ($19.60).

Rainbow 6 Carryover: $437,933.90

Source: Gulfstream Park Press Release