Prospect Watch: Courting, Zany lead Pletcher stakes prospects

This week's Prospect Watch features young horses with exceptional breeding credentials making their debuts and early starts at tracks across the country. The lineup includes several first-time starters with Grade 1-winning dams and half-siblings, along with second and third-time starters from elite bloodlines looking to build on early promise.

Thursday

Step Slow

Gulfstream Park race 4 features the debut of Step Slow, a 3-year-old colt by Mr. Money. This first-time starter is a half-brother to Signalman, who earned $677,000 and captured the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). Out of the mare Trip South, Step Slow will tackle six furlongs on dirt with Cipriano Gil aboard for trainer Fernando Abreu. The colt races as a homebred for owner Fernando Abreu in this maiden claiming event. 

Red Velvet Cake

Aqueduct race 5 showcases Red Velvet Cake making her third career start after two previous efforts. This 3-year-old filly by Lord Nelson is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Federal Judge, who earned $464,000 during his racing career. Out of the mare Congarette, she finished seventh in her most recent start at Aqueduct on Nov. 6, earning a 73 Horse Racing Nation speed figure. John Velazquez takes the mount for trainer Melanie Giddings as the homebred filly seeks her maiden victory at 7-2 morning-line odds.

Fracture

Mountaineer race 4 presents Fracture, a 4-year-old colt by Uncle Mo making his third career start. This prospect gained attention through his half-brother Instilled Regard, a Grade 1 winner who earned over $1.05 million during his career. Out of the mare Enhancing, Fracture last raced at Churchill Downs in May, finishing 10th and earning a 73 HRN speed figure. Trainer Daniel Leitch has the KatieRich Stables homebred ready for six furlongs on dirt with Deshawn Parker riding at 9-5 morning-line odds.

Friday

Freddie B

Gulfstream Park race 6 features the debut of Freddie B, a 2-year-old colt by Kantharos making his first career start. This first-time starter is a half-brother to Senescal, a stakes winner in Panama who earned $65,000. Out of the mare Pacific Calm, Freddie B will tackle one mile on dirt with Renzo Rojas aboard for trainer Kenny McPeek. The colt races for Fern Circle Stables in this maiden special weight event. 

Hayes Goal 

Turfway Park race 5 showcases Hayes Goal, a 2-year-old colt by Medaglia d'Oro making his second career start. This son of Grade 2 winner America's Tale, who earned $406,000 during her racing career, finished 12th in his debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 9, earning a 64 HRN speed figure. Trainer John Ennis has the Dixiana Farms homebred ready for one mile on synthetic with Adam Beschizza riding at 15-1 morning-line odds.

Saturday

Zany

Aqueduct race 3 is the Demoiselle, a Kentucky Oaks points prep. Zany is a 2-year-old filly by American Pharoah making her second start. This daughter of Grade 3 winner Mo' Green, who earned $279,000, won her debut impressively at Gulfstream Park on Nov. 2 by 6 1/2 lengths. Trainer Todd Pletcher has the Repole Stable filly ready for 1 1/8 miles on dirt with Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the mount in this stakes competition. 

Courting

Aqueduct race 9 is the Remsen, a points prep for the Kentucky Derby. Courting, a 2-year-old colt by Curlin is out of Grade 1 winner Cavorting, who earned over $2.06 million, and is a full brother to Grade 1 winner Clairiere, who earned over $3.27 million. He won his debut at Aqueduct on Nov. 9 by 2 1/2 lengths, earning a 98 HRN speed figure. Todd Pletcher trains for the partnership of Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables, and Windancer Farm, with John Velazquez aboard for this 1 1/8-mile dirt stakes.

Sunday

Rules of the Road

Gulfstream Park race 1 features the debut of Rules of the Road, a 2-year-old gelding by Street Sense making his first career start. He is out of Grade 2 winner On Leave, who earned over $1.07 million during her racing career. Trainer Shug McGaughey has the Stuart Janney III homebred ready for 1 1/16 miles on turf with Junior Alvarado aboard from post 11 in this maiden claiming event with 15 runners.

Love and Grace

Gulfstream Park race 11 showcases Love and Grace, a 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief making her second career start. This daughter of Grade 3 winner Zofelle, who earned $452,000, finished sixth in her debut at Keeneland on Oct. 23, earning a 79 HRN speed figure. Trainer Brendan Walsh has the Heider Family Stables homebred ready for one mile on turf with Tyler Gaffalione riding.

Lomax

Gulfstream Park race 6 features Lomax, a 3-year-old colt by Curlin making his third career start. This prospect is a half-brother Catholic Boy, a Grade 1 winner who earned over $2.13 million. Out of the mare Song of Bernadette, Lomax finished fifth in his most recent start at Gulfstream Park in January, earning an 86 HRN speed figure. Todd Pletcher trains for the partnership of Robert LaPenta, Bridlewood Farm, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard for six furlongs on dirt.

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