Tax may seek class relief in Gulfstream Park's Old Hickory Stakes
Multiple graded stakes winner Tax is prominent among 16 nominations for the $60,000 Old Hickory Stakes run Monday at Gulfstream Park.
The Old Hickory, a 1 1/16-mile race for 4-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or lower, is one of 12 starter stakes on the Presidents Day program. First-race post time for the special Monday card is set for noon.
Tax ran most recently in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Jan. 25, when he stumbled at the start and finished out of the money.
“He didn’t run his race in the Pegasus,” trainer Danny Gargan told the Daily Racing Form. “He bounced out of it so good that I’d like to use the Old Hickory as a springboard to another big race, maybe over at Oaklawn Park.”
The 4-year-old gelded son of Arch, who started for a $30,000 tag in his debut and was claimed out of a victory in a $50,000 maiden claiming race, won the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga in July, as well as the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct last February. He went on to run in the Kentucky Derby and Travers Stakes (G1).
Tax is owned by R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch and Corms Racing Stable.
If he does go on from the Old Hickory, the Essex Handicap is a $350,000 race on March 14 before the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) on April 18.
Jordan Wycoff’s Tusk, who captured the Tropical Turf (G3) Jan. 11 at Gulfstream, tops 31 nominations for the $60,000 Old Man Elegant, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 4-year-olds and up that started for a claiming price among. The 7-year-old gelded son of Tapit has won both starts for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. since being claiming for $32,000 at Belmont in October.
Mathew Schera’s Island Commish, who captured the Kitten’s Joy (G3) at Gulfstream Jan. 4, is among 22 nominations for the $60,000 Sage of Monticello, a mile turf race for 4-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or lower.
The dozen starter stakes attracted a total of 239 nominations with entries closing Friday.