A pair of graded races will top the Saturday card at Gulfstream Park this weekend. The $200,000 Fort Lauderdale S. (G2) is at 1 1/16 miles on the turf and is attracting some nice names for this contest, which is likely to have a big field. Secretariat S. (G1) hero Admiral Kitten has run first or second in seven straight races, the last trio at the Grade 1 level, and looms a big danger in his four-year-old debut for Mike Maker. The son of Kitten’s joy is good at almost any trip and will be tough to hold off late with his normal huge late run.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Alpha has never run on the lawn but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin could give this one an experiment on this oval after a solid turf move at Palm Meadows in preparation of a possible go in this spot. Others pointing for this one include Tropical Park (G3) third Bad Debt, Todd Pletcher’s Hierro, who was a fine allowance winner on this lawn most recently, the hard-knocking Howe Great, Juddmonte’s import Kalamos, who was a sharp allowance winner at Keeneland in his U. S. debut, Grade 1 victor King David, Major Marvel, who has bagged seven straight and nine of his last ten, El Prado S. star Mr. Online and Grade 3 winner Philly Ace.
Also on Saturday is the $100,000 Hal’s Hope S. (G3) on the main oval. Trainer Todd Pletcher should have a big say in the outcome of this race and will send out the exciting Zaikov, who is unbeaten from a pair of lifetime runs, both on this oval. Produced from the sensational Wait A While, the gray son of Distorted Humor is especially fast and looks like he could have a lot more to offer, with extra ground something he should adore.
Grade 2 hero Uncaptured, recent Kenny Noe H. winner Simmstown, Harlan’s Holiday S. romper River Seven, Louisiana Derby (G2) hero Revolutionary, third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) in the spring, the surging Long River and defending champ Csaba, are all possible for this endeavor.