Pletcher Holds Strong Hand in $60 K Islamadora Stakes
The $60,000 Islamorada Handicap is the lone stakes race of the afternoon Friday, March 6 at Gulfstream Park, with a field of six three year-old colts set to contest the mile and an eighth race on the main track.
7/5 favorite Stanford returned from nearly a seven month layoff to defeat an allowance optional claiming field February 8 at Gulfstream for trainer Todd Pletcher. The four year-old son of Malibu Moon has won two of three career starts with the lone defeat coming in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special where he finished sixth. Stanford will receive the services of leading jockey Javier Castellano breaking from post four.
Pletcher's other half looks live
Stanford could receive the stiffest challenge from his stablemate, 2/1 second choice Materiality who will run as part of an uncoupled entry for Pletcher. Materiality was an impressive maiden special weight winner in his debut January 11 at Gulfstream and has trained forwardly at Palm Beach Downs in the interim. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will be aboard the son of Afleet Alex breaking from post six.
Ouimet could get a slice
Ouimet (7/2) has won one of four career starts for trainer Nick Zito, and most recently finished second in an allowance race February 4 at Gulfstream. The son of former Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone seems to have figured things out after being well-beaten in each of his first two career starts. Jockey Luis Saez gets the call on Ouimet who will break from post three.
Leave a comment