Strong Field Assembled for Holy Bull Stakes

The Holy Bull Stakes (G3) lost a major contender when trainer Rick Dutrow pulled Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Boys At Tosconova from consideration, but with a $400,000 purse the one-turn mile race nonetheless attracted a strong field.

Mucho Macho Man has yet to secure a stakes win for owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable, but he has been knocking at the door and could be poised to break through in the Holy Bull. The Macho Uno colt finished second in the Nashua Stakes (G2) on November 6 and the Remsen Stakes (G2) on November 27, both time finishing behind highly regarded To Honor and Serve at Aqueduct.

With the field for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) restricted to 20 three-year-olds and graded stakes earnings the determining factor, the Holy Bull purse offers a connections of classic hopefuls an appealing starting point on the Derby trail.

One colt who does not need the graded stakes earnings to qualify for the Kentucky Derby is Gourmet Dinner, winner of the $1-million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3) in November for trainer Steven Standridge and owner Our Sugar Bear Stable. The Trippi colt will try to rebound in the Holy Bull from a fourth-place finish in the CashCall Futurity (G1) on December 18 at Hollywood Park.