Warrior's Reward Tops Thursday Feature

A Steven Miles Jr.’s 4-year-old Warrior’s Reward launched his career at Gulfstream Park in late January last year with a 30-to-1 upset debut victory for trainer Ian Wilkes, and is back to begin another campaign as the horse to beat in Thursday’s optional/allowance feature at seven furlongs.

Jockey Julien Leparoux gets the call on Warrior’s Reward, who makes his first start since a game runner-up effort beaten a half-length in a six-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs on Nov. 21. The son of Medaglia d’Oro finished second to Dunkirk in his second start after his maiden score, but wasn’t able to handle the next step up finishing eighth behind Musket Man in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

Warrior’s Reward was a player in the division over the summer, finishing third in the Dwyer Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park and second in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga before tiring to fifth in the stretch behind Summer Bird in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga in late August.

Another 4-year-old with stakes credentials in Thursday’s full field of 12 is Eli Gindi’s Break Water Edison to be ridden by Alan Garcia as he returns this season trained by Rick Dutrow. The son of Lemon Drop Kid was a $525,000 OBS March 2-year-old purchase who won the 2008 Nashua Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct for trainer John Kimmel

Break Water Edison did not fare well in two starts here last year, finishing sixth in the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) in late January and then eased in the stretch of the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) as emerging star Quality Road romped home a 4 ¼ lengths winner. Break Water Edison makes his first start since then in Thursday’s race, which attracted a full field of 12 with three others on the ‘also-eligible’ list.

Another contender that will attract solid support is Susan Moore and partners’ 4-year-old Presto Change O with Jeremy Rose aboard for trainer Anthony Dutrow. The son of Grand Slam finished a good third last out behind Custom for Carlos in the six-furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) here on Jan. 9. Presto Change O was making his first start since winning an allowance at Meadowlands by 5 ¾ lengths on Oct. 16.

Completing the body of the field are Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Brother Keith, Sequoia Racing’s Imperial Council, Dell Ridge Farm’s Brady Baby, E. Paul Robsham Stable’s Royal Vindication, Agnes Peace’s New Member, Pam and Marty Wygod’s Snapshot, George Bolton and partners’ Freedom Bay and Silver Wing Stable’s Free Country.

Listed ‘also-eligible’ are Bridlebourne Racing’s He’s So Chic, Simone Development’s San Valentino and LMR Stable’s Caixa Eletronica.