The $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes is scheduled to kick off Gulfstream Park’s Road to the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1) Saturday, highlighting a card of five stakes, including the $100,000 Dania Beach (G3) and $100,000 Old H…at (G3).The first stakes for newly turned 3-year-olds on the 2015 calendar attracted 25 nominations for the fourth running of the race formerly known as the Gulfstream Park Derby and now named in honor of the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion.
Mawthooq, one of several highly regarded 3-year-old prospects trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, has been nominated to the Mucho Macho Man after scoring a 10 1/2 –length mile maiden romp at Aqueduct last time out.
Todd Pletcher, the 11-time defending training champion at Gulfstream, nominated three horses for the one-turn mile event, including recent impressive debut winners Blame Game and Itsaknockout, along with Savoy Stomp.
Trainer Michael Maker and J. Armando Rodriguez Racing Stable, who visited the winner’s circle with General a Rod following last year’s running, have nominated A. Rod Again, a 4 ½-length maiden winner at Churchill Downs last time out.
Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., who saddled Itsmyluckyday for a victory for owners Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa in 2013, nominated Honest, a maiden winner at Monmouth last time out for the same owners.
General a Rod and Itsmyluckyday both went on to finish on the board in the Florida Derby and compete in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Itsmyluckyday went on to finish second in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
John Servis-trained Brother Bobo and Marcus Vitali-trained Bluegrass Singer have also been nominated to the Mucho Macho Man after finishing second and third, respectively, in a three-horse win photo in the recent Buffalo Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park West.
Jacks or Better Farm’s Twotwentyfive A, a winner of the $250,000 Affirmed leg of the Florida Sire Stakes, has been nominated by trainer Stanley Gold to take on open stakes company again in the Mucho Macho Man after a subpar showing in the Buffalo Man. Ralph Nicks-trained Richard the Great, who launched his career with back-to-back wins before running into road trouble in the Buffalo Man, has also been nominated.
High Noon Rider, who finished third in the $250,000 Springboard Mile at Remington last time out for trainer George Weaver; Gustavo Delgado-trained Juan and Bina, the runner-up in the Smooth Air Stakes at Gulfstream Park West; Indianaughty, a Team Valor International colt who broke his maiden over a European synthetic surface; and the Jose Carroll-trained trio of Ami’s Flatter, Decision Day and Glenville Gardens; are also among the more notable nominees.