Suwannee River Attracts Competitive Field

Never Retreat and Cherokee Queen, who both ran big races to in the Marshua’s River Stakes (gr. IIIT) last out, were listed as the 119-pound high weights for the $150,000 Suwannee River Stakes (gr. IIIT) Feb. 5 at Gulfstream Park.

A field of 10 fillies and mares that will go 1 1/8 miles on turf was drawn for the Suwannee, which precedes a pair of grade I races on the Gulfstream card. Also in the field is grade I winner Miss World. Toocleverforwords was entered for main track only.

Jockey Carlos Marquez Jr. will ride Never Retreat for trainer Chris Block after they teamed up for a forceful third, beaten only a length, in the Marshua’s River after finishing strongly. The 6-year-old daughter of Smart Strike   shipped around frequently last season, winning stakes at Fair Grounds, Canterbury Downs, and Kentucky Downs, and has won six of 22 starts overall.

Marty Wolfson will send out Cherokee Queen, who also finished well in the Marshua’s River when fourth, beaten only 1 1/4 lengths. The 6-year-old mare is a three-time black-type winner but seeks her first graded stakes.