Wildcat Red Breezes Ahead of Sunshine Millions Classic

Multiple graded stakes winner Wildcat Red sizzled through a five-furlong breeze over Gulfstream Park’s main track Sunday morning in preparation for the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Classic on January 17.

With Carlos Olivero aboard, the 4-year-old son of D’wildcat went five-eighths in 57.48 seconds, getting the last eighth of a mile in 11 seconds, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.

“He worked very good, very impressive,” trainer Jose Garoffalo said. “I was really surprised because he was doing it without a big effort. He galloped out very strong and came back very happy, bucking and kicking. He’s ready to run.”

Josie Martino, who lives in Venezuela and owns Wildcat Red with her husband, Salvatore Delfino, as Honors Stable Corp., was on hand for the work, the colt’s fourth since ending his 2014 campaign running second to East Hall in the Sunshine Millions Classic Preview on November 28 at Gulfstream Park West.

“I was telling my owner that I wish the race was next week because the horse is doing better than ever, and he absolutely loves this track,” Garoffalo said. “He’s a different horse on this track. Next week he’ll just have a routine breeze. We’re ready for the race.”

Garoffalo is still waiting to line up a rider for the Sunshine Millions. He had hoped to have the services of Javier Castellano, who rode Wildcat Red to victory in the Hutcheson (G3) last February, but the three-time defending Championship Meet leading jockey is committed on Florida-bred allowance winner Transparent for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

“I have no commitment from any rider right now,” Garoffalo said. “I’m waiting for an answer from Joel Rosario. He would be our first choice now. The most important thing I always say is how the horse is doing. We’ll find another rider later. He was super today.”

Source: Gulfstream Park Communications