Back in Florida, Untitled romps against state-breds at Gulfstream Park

Runner-up in the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct in his previous start, Untitled easily prevailed in a short field of Florida-bred 3-year-olds Thursday at Gulfstream Park, romping to a 3 ¾-length victory in the sixth race, a mile optional claiming race for state-bred sophomores.

Purchased by Gary Barber and Michael Sebastian following a sensational 11-length debut victory that earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure on Dec. 14, and transferred to trainer Mark Casse, Untitled was progressing on the road to the Triple Crown before the coronavirus pandemic caused the postponement of the Kentucky Derby from May 2 to Sept. 5. 

Untitled broke alertly and set fractions of 23.37 and 45.59 seconds for the first half-mile of the mile event before getting six furlongs in 1:09.37 and seven furlongs in 1:21.87 on his way to a final clocking of 1:35.23. Sent off at 1-9, the son of Khozan never had an anxious mount on his way to victory under Luis Saez.

“He broke perfect. He was right there and it was like another work for him,” Saez said. “It was pretty easy. He came to the stretch and he took off. I had so much horse. He felt very good. He was sharp today. He felt amazing.”

Gray Beau, a 10-year-old warrior, finished second, a nose in front of First and Three. Roman Empire, the 9-2 second choice, finished fourth and last.

Untitled set all the pace in his debut victory and returned for his new connections in the Feb. 1 Swale (G3), in which he finished fourth behind Mischevious Alex after encountering bumping at the start. He came back to finish second behind Gouverneur Morris in a two-turn allowance at Tampa Bay Downs o Feb. 14. 

In the one-mile Gotham at Aqueduct, he chased the pace before settling for second, two-lengths behind Mischevious Alex.